In a bold and historic military operation, President Donald Trump announced Saturday evening that the United States has successfully conducted strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities. He described the operation as a “spectacular military success” aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.
During a national address from the White House, President Trump stated, “The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear assemblies in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
Prior to his address, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, revealing that a “full payload of BOMBS” was used against the primary site, Fordo. He further announced that all U.S. aircraft safely exited Iranian airspace following the strikes.
The president characterized the moment as an “HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD,” emphasizing that Iran must now pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. He concluded his post by expressing gratitude, saying, “THANK YOU!”
In his address, President Trump warned Iran against any potential retaliation, stating, “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” He urged the Iranian government to seek peace in its ongoing war with Israel, cautioning that failure to do so would lead to severe consequences. “There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” he added.
Flanked by key administration figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump made it clear that other targets remain should peace not be achieved swiftly. He stated, “If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”
The backdrop to these aggressive U.S. actions includes Iran’s ongoing missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, following a series of airstrikes on Iranian military targets that began on June 13. Iran has consistently vowed to retaliate against the U.S. should it join the Israeli offensive.
In a follow-up social media post, President Trump issued a stark warning: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”
As the situation escalated, early Sunday morning, Iran launched approximately 30 missiles at Israel, according to the IDF. Reports indicated that four of these missiles evaded Israel’s missile defense systems, resulting in injuries and significant damage.
Details of the U.S. Strikes
U.S. Defense Department officials confirmed that B-2 Spirit bombers executed the strike on Fordo just after midnight local time. These bombers carried Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), powerful bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate deep defenses. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that this was the first operational use of such weapons against enemy targets.
Seven B-2s from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri were reported to have dropped 14 MOPs, targeting two areas within the Fordo facility. In parallel, about two dozen Tomahawk missiles were launched from submarines, specifically aiming at the Isfahan site.
General Caine shared that the initial damage assessments indicated that all three Iranian sites endured extensive harm. Notably, during the operation, there appeared to be no Iranian retaliation.
President Trump later labeled the strikes as “an incredible and overwhelming success,” emphasizing that the operation focused on the Iranian nuclear program without targeting Iranian personnel or citizens.
Diplomatic Communications and Reactions
In a bid to clarify intentions, the U.S. reached out to Iran diplomatically, assuring that no further military actions or regime change efforts were intended. Reports suggest that Trump opposed Israeli proposals to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Interestingly, not all U.S. allies with troops in the region were informed prior to the attacks. Some allies were made aware of the impending strikes as U.S. aircraft were already in the air.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that it detected no increase in off-site radiation levels following the U.S. actions, seeking to quell any fears of nuclear fallout.
Reactions from Israeli and Iranian officials were swift. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump in a video address, echoing sentiments of “peace through strength” and lauding the U.S. for the decisive military action.
Conversely, Iranian officials condemned the strikes vehemently. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi characterized the U.S. military aggression as brutal and stated that Washington would bear full responsibility for the repercussions of these attacks. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty, asserting that Iran would not cower in the face of aggression.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement promising “regrettable responses” to the strikes. They described U.S. military bases in the region as increasingly vulnerable as a result of these actions.
In a sign of diplomatic maneuvering, Araghchi announced he would travel to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian government condemned the U.S. strikes, calling the actions a violation of international law that escalates the risk of conflict in the Middle East.
Domestic Security Considerations
As tensions reached an all-time high, U.S. Homeland Security officials initiated monitoring for potential physical and cyber reprisals from Iran. An intelligence officer described the situation as unprecedented, noting that with new thresholds crossed, the U.S. now faces uncertainty regarding Iran’s possible reactions.
There is a wide range of assessments regarding Iran’s potential responses, characterized by scenarios ranging from minimal backlash to aggressive retaliation.
Mixed Reactions from U.S. Lawmakers
The reactions of U.S. lawmakers have varied widely. House Speaker Mike Johnson received a briefing prior to the strikes, expressing support for the military action.
In contrast, other political leaders, including Democratic congressional leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, criticized the president for bypassing Congress in initiating military action. Jeffries argued that Trump misled the nation about his intentions and is risking American involvement in a potentially disastrous conflict in the region.
Senator Mark Warner pointed out the inconsistency with Trump’s prior campaign promises to end ongoing foreign wars, stating that recent actions could entangle the U.S. in another conflict without proper congressional oversight.
The Lead-Up to the Strikes
Leading up to the strikes, speculation had mounted regarding U.S. military intentions in the region. Sources noted that B-2 bombers had previously been dispatched to Guam, with aerial refueling tankers also spotted amidst flight patterns associated with the U.S. military.
General Caine clarified that these were part of a deception effort, allowing the strike to take place with minimal awareness among most military personnel. This strategic discretion highlights the covert nature of the operation.
The U.S. attacks occurred shortly after Iranian representatives indicated a willingness to engage in renewed dialogue with European officials, suggesting that tensions could have potentially been eased through negotiations.
With the U.S. now actively engaged in military operations against Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed that the evacuation of American citizens and green card holders from Israel was already underway.
A few flights assisted in the departure of approximately 70 American citizens and their immediate families, underscoring the escalating urgency of the situation.
Meanwhile, the White House released images of the Situation Room in action during the military operation, showcasing Trump’s key advisers as they witnessed the unfolding events.
Among those present were notable figures including Vice President Vance and Secretary of Defense Hegseth, as well as intelligence officials. The presence of Tulsi Gabbard was particularly significant, given recent discussions surrounding U.S.-Iran relations.
The potential implications of these strikes are vast, as the diplomatic landscape in the Middle East stands on a knife’s edge.
With fears of retaliation and further military engagement looming, the world watches closely as this situation develops.
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