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Arabian Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Oil Traders Brace As US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil markets swung sharply following the US Air Force's striking of Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan nuclear facilities on 21 June, triggering a fresh wave of geopolitical risk. Brent crude futures jumped over 11 per cent earlier this week after Israeli attacks, and traders are now preparing for further price volatility once global trading resumes. President Trump described the operation as a 'spectacular military success' and warned that more targets await if Iran does not seek peace. The US employed six B‑2 bombers laden with GBU‑57 'bunker‑buster' bombs—ordnance only capable of penetrating Fordow's deep underground vaults. Natanz and Esfahan were also hit, reportedly using Tomahawks from submarines. ADVERTISEMENT Market analysts warn that disruption to Iran's 2.5 million barrels per day export capacity, plus the threat of a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, would lift risk premiums sharply. Oxford Economics estimates oil could reach $130 a barrel if Iran decides to close the Strait, sending inflation soaring. Investors are preparing for turbulence in equities and a rush towards safe-haven assets like the US dollar and gold. Potomac River Capital's CIO, Mark Spindel, warned of markets being 'initially alarmed' with heightened volatility continuing until the extent of the damage is confirmed. Global markets have seen mixed signals: while crude prices surged up to 18 per cent since Israel's June 13 raids, equities such as the S&P 500 have remained relatively steady. Predicting a deeper sell-off may depend on whether Iran follows through with threats — including disrupting the Strait, leveraging regional proxies, or escalating cyber campaigns. Iran's official response has been defiant rather than conciliatory. Tehran's Atomic Energy Organisation assures no radiation has been released, and lawmakers claim the damage is superficial and repairable. Iran's foreign ministry has labelled the strikes 'outrageous' and cautioned that the consequences will be 'everlasting'. Global leaders have voiced alarm. New Zealand's foreign minister urged all parties to 'de-escalate and return to diplomacy', while Australia and Mexico emphasised restraint and dialogue. Venezuela and Cuba condemned the strikes as violations of international law, calling for immediate halt to military action. Oil market specialist Saul Kavonic warns Brent could move towards $100 a barrel 'depending on Iran's retaliation'. While Saudi output increases may buffer short-term shortages, traders recognise that any direct counterstrike on Gulf tanker routes or infrastructure would compound risk. The destruction of key nuclear enrichment sites may set back Iran's nuclear programme temporarily. Yet experts caution that the regime's scientific expertise cannot be fully neutralised and the damage might harden Tehran's resolve to pursue a bomb. This may also hinder diplomatic engagement, as Iran could withdraw from the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty and cease cooperation with the IAEA. In financial hubs and oil centres from London to Shanghai, traders are reviewing risk models, stress-testing portfolios and hedging energy exposure. Asian markets, heavily reliant on Gulf crude, could face inflationary pressure if shipping routes are disrupted. A key question now is whether the United States and its allies will pursue further strikes or shift to diplomatic pressure. Trump's administration insists that Iran now has a binary choice: embrace peace or face further 'precision' strikes. Critics warn that without congressional authorisation, deeper military involvement risks entangling the US in a long-term Middle East conflict.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US strikes Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan: What happens when a nuclear site is bombed and how to survive radiation
In a dramatic televised address Saturday night(June 22), President Trump declared that US forces had 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's key nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan via a coordinated strike with Israel. US reportedly used stealth B‑2 bombers, 30,000‑lb bunker‑buster bombs, and Tomahawk missiles in the attack on the three facilities. The aim was to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment capacity and the 'nuclear threat'. What is a nuclear site, and why is it targeted? Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold Container Homes in Cebu - Prices You Won't Believe! Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Nuclear sites like Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in Iran are used to enrich uranium, a process that can be used for civilian energy but also for making nuclear weapons. These facilities are often underground, heavily fortified, and protected by anti-air defenses. The US claimed the strikes were intended to 'destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity' and halt what President Trump called a 'nuclear threat' from a nation he described as the 'world's number one state sponsor of terror'. Live Events What happens when a nuclear site is bombed? Destroying a nuclear site is not like hitting an ordinary military base. These facilities often contain radioactive material, complex machinery, and reinforced structures to prevent leaks or accidents. A 'bunker-buster' bomb, as the US did with the 30,000-pound GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, is designed to punch deep into the earth to reach buried facilities. If radioactive material is present, the explosion could rupture containment systems, releasing radiation into the air, soil, and water. In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to localized radiation poisoning, environmental damage, or long-term contamination. How serious are the risks of radiation? According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), direct strikes on operational nuclear facilities carry a high risk of radioactive release, depending on how much material is present and whether it's properly shielded. Iran has claimed that its sites were not active and were evacuated prior to the strikes. But these claims haven't been independently verified. Radiation risk cannot be ruled out until air and soil monitoring confirms safety. Even in non-explosive cases, debris from damaged reactors, stored waste, or enrichment byproducts could expose civilians and cleanup workers to harmful doses. How to stay safe? If you're near a suspected nuclear site or live in an area where tensions are rising, here are key steps to stay safe: Listen to local authorities : They'll issue radiation warnings or evacuation orders if needed. Stay indoors : In case of a leak, close windows, shut off ventilation, and remain indoors to reduce exposure. Keep a radio or phone charged : For emergency alerts. Have an emergency kit ready : Include iodine tablets (to protect your thyroid), water, canned food, and a mask. Stay informed : Monitor trusted news sources and health advisories. This is the first time the US has used a bunker-buster bomb operationally, raising the stakes not just for Iran, but for global norms on nuclear safety and warfare. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, the risk of escalation 'with catastrophic consequences for civilians' is real.
