The United States has launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, sparking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. US President Donald Trump announced that the US had attacked multiple nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, Natanz Nuclear Facility, and an unspecified site in Isfahan. According to Trump, a “full payload of bombs was dropped” on these sites.
“War starts right now,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Tehran’s main army branch, said in response to the US strikes.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Government on its X handle today declared war on its ‘enemies’ chiding that “The enemy is under the delusion that it has damaged our nuclear installations — but we had already uncovered its conspiracies back in March! We had timely moved all strategic materials to secure locations.
Uranium is still fully under our control; the enemy is striking at mere smoke! This war is not a surprise for us — it was anticipated! We were ready, we are ready — and we will deliver a response that history will remember!”
“We had already sharpened our swords (prepared for war) — now the time has come to draw them from their sheaths!”
This is the land of revolution… here, every strike is calculated, and every blow is delivered with faith!”
Trump had posted on his Truth Social account, “Congratulations to our great American warriors,” adding that it is now “time for peace.” However, his message came with a stern warning: “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran… If peace doesn’t come quickly, we will go to those other targets with precision, speed, and skill.”
In an address to the nation at the White House, Trump emphasized that Iran “must now make peace” and that “if they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.” He further stated, “Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal.” Top US Republican lawmaker Lindsey Graham supported Trump’s decision, saying, “Well done, president… The Tehran regime deserved it.”
On the other hand, top Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump’s move, saying, “Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm’s way.” The US has between 40,000 and 50,000 troops stationed in the region, who are expected to be put on high alert following the strikes.
The US airstrikes were carried out using B-2 stealth bombers, which are capable of carrying larger bunker-buster bombs. These bombs can penetrate deep beneath the surface, making them effective against heavily fortified underground sites like Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite the significant damage, the Fordow nuclear site might be buried deep enough to withstand some of the blasts, with parts of it reaching hundreds of meters beneath the surface.
Iran’s advanced missile arsenal remains largely untapped, and the country had previously pledged to retaliate if the US joined the Israeli assault. Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that strikes targeting his nation would “result in irreversible damage for them.” As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is bracing for potential further escalation.