Iran-Israel War: US President Donald Trump said three Iranian nuclear facilities were hit in a “very successful attack”
Iran-Israel War: US President Donald Trump on Sunday (June 22) announced that the United States has conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. directly joining Israel’s military efforts against Iran’s nuclear programme.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran airspace. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.
Trump also reshared a post from an open-source intelligence monitoring platform that claimed, “Fordow is gone” — a reference to one of Iran’s key underground nuclear facilities hit in the recent airstrike.
DETAILS OF THE AIRSTRIKES
The U.S. military employed B-2 stealth bombers to deliver GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, particularly targeting the heavily fortified Fordow facility, which is situated deep within a mountain. Additionally, submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles were used against the Natanz and Isfahan sites. President Trump described the operation as a “spectacular military success,” asserting that Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.”
News agency Reuters, citing a US official speaking on condition of anonymity, had on Saturday reported B-2 bomber activity and later confirmed their involvement in the strikes.
The US B-2 costs about $2.1 billion each, making it the most expensive military aircraft ever built.
INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS
IRAN CONDEMNS ATTACKS
Iran condemned the strikes as violations of international law and the United Nations Charter as he termed the attacks “outrageous”. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the attacks would have “everlasting consequences” and that Iran “reserves all options” to defend its sovereignty.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, meanwhile, reported no radioactive contamination at the sites. It also said that the “evil plots of enemies” will not stop Tehran’s nuclear activities for the development of the country.
ISRAEL PRAISES U.S. STRIKES
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. action, calling it a “historic turning point” and emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
US media reports said Trump personally informed Netanyahu of the planned strikes during a phone call the night before the operation.
“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change the course of history. In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly remarkable things. But in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has proven unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons. His leadership today has created a pivotal moment in history—one that can help lead the Middle East, and beyond, toward a future of prosperity and peace,” Netanyahu said in a televised address shortly after the US attacks.
DOMESTIC POLITICAL RESPONSE
Reactions in the United States, however, were mixed. Some Republican lawmakers supported the strikes, viewing them as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Several Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized the president for not seeking Congressional authorization, with some, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, suggesting that the action could be grounds for impeachment.
