Early Sunday (local time), US President Donald Trump-authorised strikes, codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” hit three key Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. However, a signification fraction of American critics have been skeptic of the decision long before the strikes were launched.
Even some longtime Trump allies have turned their backs on the MAGA leader in light of the US involvement in the Israel-Iran war. Pro-Trump ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson even clashed with US Senator Ted Cruz ahead of the US’ bombing of Iran, expressing his distaste of the plans to “topple” the nation.
Only 25% in favour of US attacks on Iran
Much like him, 45% of Americans opposed the “Operation Midnight Hammer” targeting Iran before days before the bombing, according to a Washington Post one-day survey conducted with DDRD. Meanwhile, only a bare 25% supported these strikes and 30% were unsure. Poll conducted in a day also showed that Republicans were highly likely to support the airstrikes on acknowledging Iran’s nuclear program is a problem than Democrats.
Protests break out in NYC
Reports coming in from New York City also suggested that anti-war protests were on the rise on Sunday. Demonstrators came out to voice their opposition of Trump’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear structures. Banners and placards that read “Hands Off Iran” and “Stop The War on Iran” took precedence. As a consequence of the rising unrest, the New York City Department previously announced they would be deploying more resources to keep any further development tied to the issue in check.
“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC and coordinating with out federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC,” the NYPD wrote in a post on X.
US bombing Iran fuels MAGA split
Despite Trump’s claims of “great unity in the Republican Party” in a Truth Social post on Sunday, an evident split broke MAGA into two halves. While many extolled their leader as a saviour, others stayed on the opposite side and slammed the decision to bomb the Iranian nuclear sites.
Although Laura Loomer, a pro-Trump activist, hailed the POTUS’ attack on Iran and praised him for saving “us all from a nuclear holocaust.” She also redirected the focus towards those who’d remained silent or presumably opposed Trump’s decision to act on Iran.
“Can someone please conduct a wellness check on Tucker Carlson, Dave Smith, Candace Owens and the entire MAHA crew?” she said on X
Pro-Trump commentators vehemently against airstrikes
Although Carlson has so far remained silent on his X account, he’s been bringing up the Israel-Iran conflict on his own show quite a lot. In addition to challenging Ted Cruz for his demands related to a regime change in Iran, the former Fox News anchor previously even hosted former Pentagon official Dan Caldwell on his podcast, asking him questions related to the aftermath of the US’ attack on Iran, casualties and more.
Former Pentagon official Dan Caldwell explains what would happen if Ted Cruz gets his way in Iran.
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 20, 2025
(0:00) Introduction
(0:47) What Would Happen if the US Strikes Iran?
(9:23) American Troops in Iraq and Syria
(19:12) Did US Policy Makers Intentionally Put American Troops at… pic.twitter.com/IujJ58RHY9
On the other hand, conservative commentator Candace Owens said last week that “MAGA was a declaration of war on neocons, accusing him of his base’s breakup. Alluding to the $100 million that pro-Israel donor Miriam Adelson have a pro-Trump super PAC during the presidential campaign. “If we had raised the 100 million Adelson gave him on Go Fund Me, maybe he would have kept his promises. Guess we’ll never know,” she said on X.
Nations react to US attack on Iran
As the United States have entered the Middle East conflict, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi noted that the US onslaught had “crossed a very big red line.” He also added that the time for diplomatic negotiations was in the past and they would exercise their right t defend itself.
UN Secretary-Genera Antonio Guterres similarly pointed out how the alarming US intervention could turn out to be. Noting how a “growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he called on Member States to de-escalate. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy,” he added in a social media statement.
Russian Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” the US airstrikes, calling them a “gross violation of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions.” Similarly, Dmitry Medvedev, who is the deputy head of President Putin’s Security Council wrote on X that a good number of countries were ready to supply Tehran with nuclear warheads.
Even Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said “the continuation of such attacks risks dangerous escalation with consequences that extend beyond the borders of any single state, threatening the security of the entire region and the world.”
Several other nations also chimed in, demanding for de-escalation and diplomacy.