US has struck three Iranian nuclear sites, Trump says

By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military had conducted strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, in support of Israel’s efforts to cripple the country’s nuclear program. This move, aimed at weakening a longstanding adversary, comes amidst Tehran’s warnings of retaliation that could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

The decision to directly engage the U.S. military follows a series of strikes by Israel targeting Iran over the past week. These strikes focused on dismantling Iran’s air defenses, offensive missile capabilities, and nuclear enrichment facilities. The utilization of American stealth bombers and a massive bunker buster bomb, capable of penetrating heavily fortified underground sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program, was seen as the most effective approach.

President Trump announced on social media, “We have successfully targeted the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes have exited Iranian airspace, with a full payload of bombs dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All aircraft are safely returning home.”

The use of B-2 stealth bombers was confirmed by Trump, although specific details about the types of bombs deployed were not disclosed by the White House or Pentagon immediately.

This decision to directly involve the U.S. military in the conflict with Iran carries significant risks, as Tehran has vowed to retaliate against any American intervention. Trump, who campaigned on a platform of avoiding costly foreign conflicts, now faces a critical juncture in his presidency.

Despite expressing reluctance to deploy ground forces in Iran, Trump emphasized the importance of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear program had failed, leading to the military intervention.

The Israeli military, anticipating a prolonged conflict, has been preparing for an extended war. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister cautioned against American military involvement, warning of the dangers it could pose to the region.

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel announced the commencement of “assisted departure flights,” marking the beginning of evacuations from Israel amid escalating tensions.

Trump’s decision to intervene militarily in Iran comes after his administration’s unsuccessful attempts at diplomatic negotiations with the Iranian government. The U.S. has been bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to safeguard American interests and allies, particularly Israel.

This military confrontation with Iran marks a significant escalation in tensions, following Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement brokered by the Obama administration. The agreement aimed to limit Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for economic sanctions relief, a deal that Trump deemed insufficient in addressing Iran’s broader malign activities.

As the situation unfolds, the prospect of a wider conflict looms large, with potential repercussions for the region and beyond.