The United States carried out military strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran early Sunday, marking a direct involvement in Israel’s ongoing battle aimed at destabilizing the nation’s nuclear program. This bold action raises the stakes in an already tense conflict and has led to renewed concerns about a broader regional war.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House, proclaiming that key Iranian nuclear facilities had been “completely and fully obliterated.” However, independent verification of the damage remains pending.
In response, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed missile strikes on the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz facilities, but insisted that its nuclear program would remain intact. Both Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog reported no signs of radioactive contamination in the aftermath of the attacks.
The ambiguity remains as to whether the U.S. will maintain its military operations in Iran alongside Israel, which recently began a war against the country nine days ago. President Trump executed the attacks without congressional authorization and cautioning that further strikes could follow if Iran retaliated against American forces.
“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” Trump stated emphatically.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, took to social media to warn that U.S. attacks would have “everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” for retaliation against what it perceives as aggression.
Shortly after the U.S. strikes, Iranian missiles struck various locations in northern and central Israel. Israeli rescue services mobilized first responders to the affected areas, though initial reports provided no information on casualties or damages.
Generally, Iran asserts that its nuclear program is strictly intended for peaceful use. U.S. intelligence has indicated that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, yet Trump and Israeli officials argue otherwise, claiming the Islamic Republic could soon possess a nuclear bomb, thus presenting an imminent threat.
The strategic decision to involve the U.S. in this conflict followed over a week of Israeli air raids which seemed to significantly cripple Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities while damaging its nuclear enrichment sites. U.S. and Israeli officials believe that the use of American B-2 stealth bombers, equipped with 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, will effectively target Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities hidden deep underground.
In a strategic calculation, President Trump appears to have acted with encouragement from Israeli officials and many Republican lawmakers, believing that the recent military campaign from Israel had created an unprecedented opportunity to disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions potentially for good.
Trump declared triumphantly in a social media post, “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 further elaborated, emphasizing the significance of the situation, “This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”
In tandem with the strike, Israel closed its airspace to all inbound and outbound flights, highlighting the heightened security measures following the U.S. military operation.
As details of the operation remain scant, military leaders from the U.S. are scheduled to provide further briefings later in the day. The assault specifically targeted Iran’s Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant using specialized bunker-buster munitions designed to penetrate deep underground facilities.
Additionally, U.S. submarines launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles in the strikes, according to military officials. Reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicated there has been a lack of increase in off-site radiation levels post-strike, promising more assessments as additional information comes to light.
Trump’s decision for direct U.S. intervention is a consequential departure from his campaign promises to avoid entanglements in foreign conflicts. The president’s stance against Iran traces back to his withdrawal from the 2018 nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration, which he labeled as the “worst deal ever.” Throughout recent months, he had emphasized his desire for diplomacy and had previously urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay military actions against Iran.
As tensions mounted following Israel’s aggressive actions, Trump shifted from a tone expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution to ultimatums directed at Iranian leaders, calling for their unconditional submission.
Domestic critics within Trump’s political base have cautioned him that increased U.S. involvement in Iran’s affairs may alienate supporters who were drawn to his promise to conclude America’s engagements in expensive foreign wars.
Support for Trump was demonstrated by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who praised the U.S. attacks in a video message, declaring, “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 accomplished what no other country on Earth could do.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the escalating violence between the U.S. and Iran. He articulated the potential dangers of the conflict spinning out of control, potentially resulting in catastrophic implications both regionally and globally.
In Yemen, Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels warned they would resume hostilities against U.S. vessels in the Red Sea should the Trump administration deepen its involvement alongside Israel. The Houthis had previously suspended such operations following an agreement with Washington.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, preemptively cautioned the U.S. regarding potential strikes against Iran, suggesting that such actions would bring “irreparable damage” to American interests. An official spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry described any U.S. intervention as a prescription for all-out war in the region.
In response to Israel’s sustained military actions, which have reportedly left at least 865 individuals dead and 3,396 wounded, Iranian officials have expressed a deepening resolve.
While Israel has announced that it stands ready for an extended conflict, Tehran has consistently warned of the grave consequences that American military involvement may incite.
The U.S. military actions represent a dramatic escalation in an already volatile situation, which poses significant risks for both troops on the ground and civilian populations across the region.
As this conflict evolves, the international community watches closely, wary of a potential escalation that could engulf much of the Middle East.
image source from：pressdemocrat
