On Sunday, former President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s major nuclear sites, officially joining Israel’s war against Iran, a longtime U.S. rival.
Trump said American forces carried out a successful mission targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Just two days earlier, he had said he’d take up to two weeks to decide whether to get involved. Now, he claims the strikes were a clear military success. This marks the first time since the 1979 Iranian Revolution that the U.S. has attacked inside Iran.
In a televised Oval Office speech, Trump declared that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were completely destroyed and called on the country to pursue peace or face even worse consequences. “If Iran doesn’t back down, we’re ready to strike again and much harder,” he warned. “We still have many targets, and taking them out would be quick and easy.”
The Israel-Iran conflict started when Israel launched a surprise attack, called “Operation Rising Lion,” hitting nuclear and military facilities in Iran. Israeli officials said they acted because Iran was close to building a nuclear bomb. So far, over 600 people in Iran have died, according to a U.S.-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has fired back with hundreds of missiles and drones, killing at least 24 people, according to Israel.
Trump first mentioned the U.S. airstrikes on his Social account, saying bombs were dropped on Fordow and that all American planes made it back safely. He congratulated U.S. troops and called it a historic moment for the U.S., Israel, and the world, insisting that now is the time for peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision, calling it a bold and historic move that could shift the future of the Middle East. He echoed Trump’s phrase, “Peace through strength,” and said the U.S. showed unmatched military power. He added that Israeli attacks on Iran would continue until the country’s nuclear program and missile threats were fully neutralized.
According to reports, the U.S. used B-2 bombers in the strikes. These stealth aircraft, recently moved to Guam, can carry a massive bunker-busting bomb capable of destroying deeply buried facilities like Fordow. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is said to be hiding in a secure underground bunker. According to the news agency, he has named potential successors and shut off electronic communications around him to avoid being targeted.
