The United States has bombed several Iranian nuclear sites, President Donald Trump announced in a social media post on Saturday. The airstrikes were the first US had conducted a direct military attack on Iran, further escalating the military conflict between Iran and Israel that began last week.
“We have completed a very successful attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordou, Natanz and Esfahan,” Trump said in a social media post. “All planes are currently outside of Iran’s airspace. A large number of bombs have been dropped on the primary site. All planes are on their way home.”
“Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is no other army in the world that could have done this. Now is the time of peace! Thank you for paying attention to this issue.”
Israel was able to attack some of Iran’s nuclear facilities on its own, but it is not believed to be able to attack key Ford sites, which are thought to hold rich uranium and centrifuges. Iran’s most advanced Ford facility is built in the mountains and is considered safe from bombs except for the “bunkerbuster” weapon, the US GBU-57 giant weapon intruders (MOPs).
Trump did not say what bombs were used in the strike. The US offers Israel other bunkerbusters, but Israel is not known to have planes that can deliver MOPs, so it is necessary to take part in the airstrikes on Fordo.
Israeli officials say the attack has killed some of Iran’s top military commanders, with at least nine scientists working on nuclear enrichment and damaging several nuclear enrichment facilities.
Israel was able to launch its first strike, primarily with its own intelligence and power, but it was leaning heavily towards the US ammunition and defense system that Iran had previously provided when Iran launched a retaliatory strike in Israel.
Two U.S. officials told NBC News this week that the US used ground-based interceptors and ships to defend Israel from Iranian missiles.
Before Israel’s attack on Iran, experts had warned that the only way to destroy the Ford nuclear fuel enrichment plant buried deep in the mountains is a bomb that breaks the bunker. Here’s what you need to know.
Trump’s Shift
NT Trump initially opposed Israeli military action against Iran and supported negotiations against the bombing. However, in the days before Israel struck Iran, he was convinced that growing anxiety over Israel’s nuclear enrichment capabilities had been justified.
After a briefing from the chairman of pivotal Chairman Din Kane on June 8, Trump decided to give Israel implicit approval to strike and provide limited support for us on the US option to support Israeli plans and its operations.
While many of his Magazine allies oppose US military involvement, Trump’s rhetoric on Iran has escalated steadily since the Israeli campaign began.
On Tuesday, in a true social post on his social media platform, he called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender!”
Wednesday morning he said he was still considering our strike.
“I might do that. I might not,” he told reporters outside the White House. “No one knows what I’m trying to do.”
He asked what he meant with his “Unconditional Suspension!” post, he said, “It means I have it. Ok, I had it. I’ll give up. I’m not there anymore.”
“Then we’ll blow up everything that’s all over the place,” he added.
This is a developing story. Update for updates.
Smoke rises from where Israel targeted Tehran during the third day of the wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 (photo by Kosilan via AFP/Middle Eastern image)
Source link
