Trump announces US strikes on Iran nuclear sites, joins Israel in war
US bombs three Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating conflict. Trump declares "time for peace" after Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan attacks.
US Joins Israel in Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States has conducted military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a direct entry into the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The targeted sites include Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, key centers of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the operation a success, stating that all aircraft had safely exited Iranian airspace after dropping a "full payload of BOMBS" on Fordow, the most heavily fortified site. He emphasized that no other military could achieve such precision, calling it a historic moment for the US, Israel, and the world.
Escalation Amid Calls for Peace
The strikes follow over a week of Israeli attacks on Iranian infrastructure, which Tel Aviv claims were necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Trump, who initially favored diplomacy, shifted stance after Israeli intelligence warned of Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment. The US deployed B-2 stealth bombers armed with bunker-busting GBU-57 bombs, capable of penetrating Fordow’s mountain shielding.
Despite the aggressive move, Trump framed the action as a push for peace, urging Iran to surrender unconditionally. He is scheduled to address the nation later tonight, with the White House framing the strikes as a deterrent against further nuclear escalation.
Regional and Global Reactions
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously warned of "irreparable damage" if the US intervened. Meanwhile, regional allies like Turkey and Iraq called for de-escalation, while US officials confirmed evacuation flights for Americans in Israel. Casualty reports from Iran estimate over 430 dead and 3,000 injured since hostilities began.
Analysts caution that the conflict could spiral, with Iran’s proxies like the Houthis threatening retaliation. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister claimed the strikes delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years, a point contested by experts who question the long-term efficacy of military action.
As tensions mount, the world watches whether Tehran will seek diplomacy or retaliate, risking a wider war.
