Explosions Heard in Tehran on June 12, 2025, After Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Explosions were reported in Tehran on June 12, 2025, after Israel announced it had targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites. This follows a period of high tension and wider conflict.
By Newsroom | World News, Middle East |

On June 12, 2025, explosions were heard across Tehran, Iran's capital, following an announcement by Israel that it had targeted nuclear and military sites. This event occurred during a period of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, marked by a wider conflict that began on June 13, 2025, and ongoing discussions between Iran and the United States regarding Tehran's nuclear program.

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Multiple sources confirm explosions and strikes impacting Iran, with varying degrees of detail regarding the actors and targets. The full scope of damage and the chain of events leading to these incidents are subject to ongoing analysis.

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Timeline of Reported Events

Reports indicate a series of incidents and escalating tensions in the weeks preceding and following the June 12th explosions.

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  • Early April 2025: An explosion occurred near Bandar Abbas, Iran, resulting in 65 deaths. Iranian authorities denied reports linking the blast to missile fuel. This event took place during U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman.

  • June 13, 2025: Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear and military targets, including facilities in Natanz and areas related to Iran's ballistic missile program. Top Iranian nuclear scientists and officials were reportedly targeted. Iran's airspace was closed.

  • Late June 12/Early June 13, 2025: Israel announced a "special situation" and confirmed an attack on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites.

  • June 13-14, 2025: Iran launched waves of missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation, confirming a strike at Isfahan.

  • June 21, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. air forces had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, describing them as "totally obliterated." He warned Iran against retaliation.

  • June 23, 2025: Iran was reportedly weighing its response to U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites, which U.S. officials claimed significantly set back Iran's ability to build a nuclear weapon.

  • July 3, 2025: BBC Verify confirmed the authenticity of video footage showing two blasts in Tehran during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, stating it was an "attack on Ukraine's capital" and referencing an "attack inside Russia." This BBC report appears to conflate or reframe events related to Ukraine and Russia with the earlier Tehran incidents.

Conflicting Accounts of Actors and Targets

Information regarding who conducted specific strikes and what was targeted presents differing narratives.

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  • Israel's Role: Israel has acknowledged or been reported to have attacked Iran's capital, nuclear, and military sites. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israel carried out an attack, though without specifying targets. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned targeting Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and its ballistic missile program.

  • U.S. Involvement: President Trump announced U.S. air forces bombed three Iranian nuclear sites. Senior U.S. officials stressed they were not seeking a wider war.

  • Iran's Stance: Iran has consistently insisted its nuclear program is peaceful. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the full extent of damage from U.S. strikes. Iran's defense ministry denied reports linking an earlier explosion near Bandar Abbas to missile fuel.

  • International Reactions: The UN Secretary-General expressed being "gravely alarmed" by the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. The UN human rights chief urged "fullest restraint." The IAEA head reported no sign of health-impacting radiation from the strikes.

Evidence of Explosions and Damage

Multiple reports corroborate the occurrence of significant explosions.

Read More: US Urges Iran Nuclear Deal As Military Assets Increase Near Region

  • Tehran Blasts: Videos showing two blasts in Tehran during the Iran-Israel conflict were verified as authentic by BBC. Explosions were heard booming across the capital.

  • Bandar Abbas Incident: An explosion near Bandar Abbas caused extensive damage to shipping containers and goods. Windows several miles away were shattered, indicating a powerful blast.

  • Nuclear Sites: President Trump stated that three Iranian nuclear sites were "totally obliterated." The head of the IAEA confirmed that strikes targeted three Iranian nuclear sites.

Nuclear Program and International Scrutiny

Iran's nuclear program has been a central point of contention.

  • Peaceful Intentions vs. Concerns: Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, while Israel has long warned against Iran developing nuclear weapons.

  • IAEA Oversight: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitored the situation following strikes on nuclear sites. Its head reported no harmful radiation increases beyond targeted locations.

  • Negotiations: The incidents occurred against a backdrop of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. in Oman and President Trump's call for Iran to return to negotiations.

Expert Analysis and Reactions

  • UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk: Stated, "This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security." He emphasized the "utmost importance for all parties to exercise the fullest restraint."

  • U.S. Officials: Stressed that the strikes were not aimed at initiating a wider conflict with Iran.

Conclusions and Implications

The reporting indicates a complex series of events involving multiple state actors, with significant explosions reported in Iran, particularly in Tehran. The strikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, leading to retaliatory actions by Iran. The situation underscores the ongoing volatility surrounding Iran's nuclear program and broader regional security concerns.

The conflicting accounts regarding the precise actors, targets, and outcomes necessitate further clarification. The IAEA's assessment regarding radiation levels provides a specific data point on the direct impact on nuclear facilities. The broader implications for regional stability and international relations remain a significant concern, as highlighted by UN officials.

Key Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in Tehran on June 12, 2025?
Explosions were heard across Tehran on June 12, 2025. This happened after Israel announced it had attacked Iran's nuclear and military sites.
Q: Who was affected by the explosions in Tehran?
People in Tehran heard the explosions, and the strikes targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites. This event happened during high tensions between Iran and Israel.
Q: What was the cause of the explosions in Tehran on June 12, 2025?
Israel announced it had targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites, including facilities in Natanz and areas related to Iran's ballistic missile program. This led to the explosions heard in Tehran.
Q: What is the current situation after the explosions in Tehran?
The situation is tense, with Iran having launched missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation. The U.S. also reported bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. The full impact and next steps are still being analyzed.
Q: Did the U.S. bomb Iranian nuclear sites?
Yes, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. air forces bombed three Iranian nuclear sites on June 21, 2025, calling them 'totally obliterated.' He warned Iran against retaliation.