US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) announced that the United States had completed a “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites in Iran – including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
The strikes came in contravention of Trump’s earlier decision to give Iran a “maximum” of two weeks to decide before possible US strikes.
“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. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” he said on his Truth Social platform.
Trump hoped that the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites will propel Tehran back to nuclear negotiations and does not currently plan additional US strikes inside Iran, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Trump later said his administration is going to address the nation at 10 pm (7:30 am Indian Time) at the White House regarding the “successful” military operation in Iran. “This is a HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR.”
He also reposted a message from an open-source intelligence account saying, “Fordow is gone”. Notably,, Fordow is an underground facility responsible for enriching uranium for Iran, which was reportedly out of reach for Israeli weapons, except American “bunker bombs”.
Speaking to Fox News later, Trump said, “I said I would decide within two weeks whether to attack, and even two days is within the two-week time frame.”
Israel In ‘Full Coordination’ With US
U.S. B-2 bombers took part in the strikes, a U.S. official told Reuters, which had earlier reported the deployment of the stealth aircraft capable of carrying heavy ordnance necessary to hit fortified targets like Fordow. The attacks occurred amid over a week of ongoing aerial clashes between Israel and Iran.
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan cited an Israeli official saying the country was “in full coordination” with Washington on the US attack. Some reports claimed Trump had informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day ago about the impending strikes.
Trump and Netanyahu spoke after the US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to two White House officials. Meanwhile, Iranian media said all three nuclear sites were evacuate “some time ago” before the US strikes.
Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised Trump, saying, “President Trump took a bold decision for the United States, for Israel, for all of humanity. The world is now a safer place.”
“A few hours ago, after Qom’s air defenses were activated and hostile targets were identified, part of the Fordo nuclear site was attacked by enemy airstrikes,” reported Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
Iran Confirms US Attack
The Deputy Security Governor of Isfahan confirmed that Iran’s nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz were targeted in an attack. “We observed incursions near the nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz,” he told Iranian news agencies, noting that air defence systems were activated to “engage hostile targets.”
Iran’s Atomic Energy Commission said there were no signs of radioactive contamination, reassuring the public that the US strikes had shown no radiation leaks. It condemned the US strikes as “barbaric” and in violation of international law, saying Iran’s nuclear programme will not be halted.
In a stark warning to the US, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, “Americans should expect greater damage and blows than ever before.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attacks will have “everlasting consequences” and Tehran reserves all options to “defend its sovereignty”.
US lawmakers responded with mixed reactions following the military action. Republican Representative Thomas Massie criticised former President Trump’s decision, calling it “unconstitutional.” Meanwhile, other Republicans backed the strikes, describing them as the “right call” and expressing gratitude to the military. Some Democratic lawmakers also voiced support for the operation.