In a dramatic escalation of tension in the Middle East, the United States conducted airstrikes on three critical sites in Iran early on Sunday, marking a significant turn in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. President Donald Trump asserted that the strikes had resulted in the “complete and full obliteration” of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, although independent damage assessments were not immediately available.
The strikes come as Israel continues its military operations aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, which it views as a direct threat. Trump’s decision to attack Iran was made without congressional authorization and follows a series of Israeli strikes over the past nine days designed to neutralize Iran’s air defenses and offensive missile capabilities. Trump warned that further U.S. military action would occur if Iran retaliated against American forces.
“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” Trump said during his address to the nation.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes, stating that they would have “everlasting consequences” and that Iran reserves the right to respond. This sentiment was echoed shortly afterward when Israel alerted its public of an Iranian missile launch and urged residents to take shelter.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that attacks had targeted its Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz facilities, but insisted that their nuclear work would continue unabated. Iranian officials reported no signs of radioactive contamination at the sites and assured that there was no danger to nearby residents.
Despite Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran is not actively developing a nuclear weapon. Nonetheless, both Trump and Israeli officials contend that Iran poses an imminent threat, claiming the capability to assemble a bomb quickly.
The United States’ decision to participate in the conflict follows Israel’s extensive aerial campaigns that have already weakened Iranian military infrastructure. U.S. military officials noted that American stealth bombers equipped with advanced bunker-buster bombs were activated, targeting heavily fortified underground sites connected to Iran’s nuclear activities.
Following the strikes, President Trump took to social media to celebrate what he described as a successful operation. “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” he posted.
Trump later characterized the strikes as a “HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD,” insisting that Iran must cease its military aggression.
In a video message of support, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision, declaring it a pivotal moment that could change history. Netanyahu expressed confidence that the U.S. had accomplished what no other nation could.
In light of the unfolding events, Israel announced that it would close its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in reaction to the escalating conflict.
The White House and Pentagon remained tight-lipped about the operation, but a military briefing was scheduled for later in the day. Reports indicated that the strikes utilized bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment facility, which is located deep within a mountain.
Additionally, U.S. submarines launched approximately 30 Tomahawk missiles in support of the airstrike operation. This marks a notable escalation into a direct military confrontation that carries significant risks, particularly given Iran’s threats of retaliation.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the potential for further conflict, warning that the situation could escalate uncontrollably, posing catastrophic risks to civilians and the broader region.
While Trump asserted that he has no plans to deploy ground forces into Iran, his administration faces considerable pressure as the possibility of a wider conflict looms. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that they will respond aggressively to any perceived American intervention.
As tensions continue to rise, Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen threatened to renew attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if the U.S. chose to join Israel’s military efforts. The Houthis had previously paused such actions under an agreement with the U.S.
Previous requests from Israeli officials for the U.S. to use its advanced military technology to strike deep underground targets underscore the strategic scenario. The bomb used in the strikes, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, is uniquely suited for penetrating fortified military sites and is noted for its ability to function after multiple successive impacts. This initiative represented the first combat utilization of this advanced weapon.
Concerns linger regarding the potential environmental repercussions of using the GBU-57 bombs at the Fordo site, where uranium enrichment activities were already confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. As tensions deepen, cautions about possible nuclear contamination have emerged.
Recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites resulted in numerous casualties, with reports citing at least 865 fatalities and thousands more injured, including a significant number of civilians.
Trump’s move to engage directly in the conflict comes after a period of failed diplomatic negotiations aimed at persuading Iran to limit its nuclear activities, which had been ongoing for two months prior to the military intervention. After attempting to exhaust diplomatic avenues, Trump accelerated military options, influenced in part by pressure from Israeli leaders and Republican lawmakers who believed that recent military actions against Iran had weakened Iranian preparedness.
Despite prior commitment to loom diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran, Trump shifted notably towards military posturing as he publicly threatened Iran’s leadership through statements. The current military escalation represents a sizeable departure from Trump’s earlier pledges to avoid U.S. military engagement in protracted overseas conflicts.
The military standoff comes approximately seven years after the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement brokered during the Obama presidency, which Trump labeled as the
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