Photo: CARLOS BARRIA / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (June 21) that the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The targeted sites included the heavily fortified Fordow facility, Natanz, and Isfahan. In a televised address from the White House, Trump declared the strikes a "spectacular military success," asserting that Iran's nuclear facilities were "completely and totally obliterated."
The decision to strike followed a week of intense deliberations within the Trump administration, as the president weighed the risks of U.S. involvement in the conflict. The strikes were carried out by B-2 bombers and involved the use of "bunker buster" bombs, capable of penetrating deep underground facilities like Fordow. Trump emphasized that the goal was to dismantle Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and halt what he described as the world's leading state sponsor of terror.
The conflict initially erupted when Israel launched an attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, prompting retaliatory missile strikes from Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision, stating it could lead the Middle East toward "prosperity and peace." However, the U.S. and its allies are bracing for potential Iranian retaliation, with heightened terror alert levels and concerns about asymmetric warfare tactics.
Trump warned that if Iran does not pursue peace, future U.S. strikes could be more severe. He stated, "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." The president's decision has sparked a debate within the Republican Party, with some members supporting the strikes and others cautioning against further military entanglement in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with fears of a broader conflict escalating. Iran has vowed to continue its nuclear program and has indicated it will seek legal action against the U.S. for the strikes. The future of U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain, with diplomatic solutions appearing increasingly elusive.