Watch: How successful have the US strikes on Iran been?

Examining Damage to Nuclear Sites

The BBC's security analyst Gordon Corera examines how much damage is likely to have been caused to Iran's nuclear sites. The US has bombed three sites in Iran and President Trump said the strikes took "the 'bomb' right out of their hands". However, Iran's foreign minister has said his country's nuclear knowledge "can't be destroyed by bombing".

Impacts on Iran-US Relations

The Iranian Foreign Minister has asserted that the country's nuclear expertise "cannot be eliminated by bombing," in the wake of unprecedented US airstrikes. The US has targeted three sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, with President Trump claiming the operation took Iran "a big step back" in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The strikes follow a series of incidents in the region, including the seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker by Iran, and the shooting down of an American surveillance drone by Iran.

Examining the Strategy

The Iran-US relationship has been increasingly strained, with these recent events highlighting the complex nature of regional tensions. The US has claimed these strikes were taken in coordination with its allies, and as a response to a range of Iranian actions. This move represents a significant escalation of US action, with critics questioning whether this will effectively address the issues between the two nations.