DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, the United States launched attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday morning, marking a significant shift in U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict initiated by Israel to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House, declaring that Iran’s key nuclear facilities had been “completely and fully obliterated.”
The strikes targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz sites, as confirmed by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, which stated its nuclear program would persist despite the attacks. While both Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog indicated no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the affected locations, satellite images released by The Associated Press revealed visible damage to the Fordo facility, located deep within a mountain.
Analysis of the imagery showed damage to entry points of the Fordo site, with light gray smoke still lingering in the air. Notably, the damage seemed to obstruct access to entry tunnels, suggesting Iran might need to excavate to regain access to the facility’s inner workings.
Amid speculation on the U.S. military’s strategic intent, it remains uncertain whether further strikes would be carried out in alignment with Israel, which has been engaged in a nine-day military campaign against Iran. As global calls for diplomacy and de-escalation grew louder, Trump’s actions took place without congressional approval, and he warned that additional strikes would follow if Iran retaliated against American forces.
“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” warned Trump.
In a strong condemnation, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of “betraying diplomacy” by launching military strikes in support of Israel’s offensive, framing the U.S. action as a start to a “dangerous war” against Iran. The ministry asserted Iran’s right to defend itself vigorously against American military aggression and declared that the nation would protect its security and national interests.
Hours after the U.S. strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched approximately 40 missiles towards Israel, reportedly utilizing its Khorramshahr-4 missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported over 80 injuries, primarily minor, resulting from the missile barrage; however, one multi-story building in Tel Aviv suffered significant damage, with its facade torn away, exposing the interiors.
In response to these missile attacks, the Israeli military claimed to have swiftly neutralized the launch sites and initiated strikes targeting military objectives in western Iran.
The United States’ involvement in the hostilities comes after Israel conducted significant airstrikes that weakened Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities, including those linked to its nuclear program. According to U.S. officials, American B-2 stealth bombers, equipped with unique bunker-buster bombs, were deployed to maximize the destruction of Iran’s fortified nuclear sites, buried deep underground.
Trump’s decision to engage militarily followed consultations with Israeli officials and a number of Republican lawmakers, fostering a belief that the current offensive against Iran had created an opportunity to derailing the country’s nuclear ambitions, potentially on a permanent basis.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on social media, assuring that all missions were completed and American aircraft had safely exited Iranian airspace.
In a later statement, he characterized the moment as an “HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”
Consequently, Israel announced the closure of its airspace to both incoming and outgoing flights following the American attacks. The White House and Pentagon have yet to provide detailed explanations of the military operations executed against Iran, but a briefing by U.S. military leaders is expected.
The strikes utilized bunker-buster munitions designed for deep underground targets, targeting the Fordow enrichment facility. In addition to airstrikes, U.S. submarines reportedly launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles.
The International Atomic Energy Agency communicated via social media platform X that there was “no increase in off-site radiation levels” post-strikes, but they would continue to monitor developments closely.
Trump’s authorization for military intervention marks a departure from his long-standing rhetoric against engaging in overseas conflicts, which partly fueled his rise to the presidency.
Despite previously indicating a preference for diplomatic solutions and restraint against military action, particularly given earlier negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions, Trump quickly shifted from advocating for diplomacy to direct military engagement.
In the wake of Israel’s earlier campaign of airstrikes against Iran, Trump’s tone shifted dramatically, moving from optimism over a potential diplomatic resolution to issuing threats against Iran’s leadership.
Facing criticism from various factions within his support base, some commentators perceived this escalation as contradictory to Trump’s initial mission to withdraw from expensive foreign interventions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Trump’s military action in a video message, stating the president’s decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities would prove historically significant.
Netanyahu asserted, “Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history. The U.S. has done what no other country on earth could do.”
In the broader context, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about the strikes being a “dangerous escalation” that could spiral out of control.
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world,” Guterres stated.
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen responded by threatening to attack U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if the military campaign continued and called for Muslim nations to join forces against “Zionist-American arrogance.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, previously cautioned the United States that strikes against Iran would only lead to significant repercussions, with Iranian officials echoing sentiments that any U.S. intervention could hasten the onset of an all-out war.
As Israeli military operations continue, the geopolitical landscape remains uncertain; Israeli strikes have reportedly resulted in 865 casualties and wounded 3,396 individuals, with 363 of those fatalities classified as civilians.
Trump’s direct military involvement emerged following an unsuccessful two-month diplomatic outreach aimed at dissuading Tehran from its nuclear pursuits. His previous administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, prompting Tehran to begin enriching uranium at higher levels ultimately restricting inspection access to IAEA representatives.
Overall, this latest situation embodies a complex interplay of military strategy, international diplomacy, and the fraught dynamics of regional power, as both Iran and the United States prepare for potential escalations in the coming days.
image source from：atlantanewsfirst
