Politics
US carried out direct airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran early Sunday morning, marking the first time Washington has directly joined Israel’s ongoing war.
US carried out direct airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran early Sunday morning, marking the first time Washington has directly joined Israel’s ongoing war. The decision came as threats of retaliation from Iran raised fears that the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war. U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to announce the strikes on social media. He said nuclear sites in Frodo, Natanz and Isfahan had been targeted. He said, “We have completed a very successful attack on three nuclear sites in Iran. All aircraft are now outside Iranian airspace. The Frodo site was completely bombed, and all aircraft have safely departed and are on their way home.”
The Iranian government did not immediately confirm or deny the attacks. However, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported that the strikes targeted nuclear facilities in Frodo, Isfahan and Natanz, although it provided no further details. Trump later posted another message, saying, “This is a historic moment for the United States, Israel and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!”
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, responded to the U.S. strikes by saying, “Thank you, President Trump, for making the historic decision to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Today, President Trump proved that ‘never again’ is not just a slogan, but a policy in action.” Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, responded to the U.S. strikes by saying, “Thank you, President Trump, for making the historic decision to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Today, President Trump proved that ‘never again’ is not just a slogan, but a policy in action.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity claimed that he had received information directly from President Trump that six “bunker-buster” bombs had been used against the Fordow nuclear facility, while 30 Tomahawk missiles had been launched from U.S. submarines and struck sites in Natanz and Isfahan.
The strikes represent a major shift in U.S. policy. President Trump had previously criticized American interventionism and, during his presidential campaign, promised to keep the United States out of costly foreign wars. However, in an effort to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities, he ultimately chose to use military force. Trump said on Friday that he was not interested in sending ground troops into Iran because, in his words, “that is the last thing you would want to do.” Nevertheless, he had indicated that he would make a decision within two weeks.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned against any U.S. attack, saying, “If the Islamic Republic is targeted, it will cause irreparable damage to the United States.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei also warned that “U.S. intervention would lay the groundwork for an all-out war in the region.”President Trump has repeatedly said that he will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and hopes that the threat of force will persuade Iran’s leadership to back down. However, the latest strikes have pushed the confrontation into a new and dangerous phase.
