Trump says Iran's key nuclear sites ‘obliterated' by US airstrikes
WASHINGTON: US forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said late on Saturday, and he warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.
After days of deliberation and long before his self-imposed two-week deadline, Trump's decision to join Israel's military campaign against its major rival Iran is a major escalation of the conflict and risks opening a new era of instability in the Middle East.
'The strikes were a spectacular military success,' Trump said in a televised address.
'Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.'
A satellite image shows an overview of the Fordow fuel enrichment facility, near Qom, Iran June 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters
In a speech that lasted just over three minutes, Trump said Iran's future held 'either peace or tragedy,' and there were many other targets that could be hit by the US military.
'If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.'
The US reached out to Iran diplomatically on Saturday to say the strikes are all the US plans and it does not aim for regime change, CBS News reported. Trump said US forces struck Iran's three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.
He told Fox News' Sean Hannity show that six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites. US B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes, a US official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,' Trump posted on Truth Social.
People stand in front of a Fox News ticker displaying a headline about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, in New York City, U.S. June 21, 2025. Photo: Reuters
'Fordow is gone.' Reuters had reported earlier on Saturday the movement of the B-2 bombers, which can be equipped to carry massive bombs that experts say would be needed to strike Fordow, which is buried beneath a mountain south of Tehran.
Given its fortification, it will likely be days, if not longer, before the impact of the strikes is known. An Iranian official, cited by Tasnim news agency, confirmed part of the Fordow site was attacked by 'enemy airstrikes.'
However, Mohammad Manan Raisi, a lawmaker for Qom, near Fordow, told the semi-official Fars news agency the facility had not been seriously damaged.
US B-2 bombers involved in Iran strikes, U.S. official says
Iranian media quoted Iran's nuclear body as saying there were no signs of contamination after the attacks, and no danger to residents living nearby.
Hassan Abedini, deputy political head of Iran's state broadcaster, said Iran had evacuated the three sites some time ago.
'The enriched uranium reserves had been transferred from the nuclear centres and there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots,' he told the channel.
Diplomacy unsuccessful
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his 'bold decision'.
'History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime, the world's most dangerous weapons,' Netanyahu said.
The strikes came as Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries.
Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying it wanted to remove any chance of Tehran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities have so far failed.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Saturday's strikes a 'dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.'
Both sides' attacks on energy infrastructure, including by Israel on Iran's South Pars gas field and the risk of a complete shutdown of the OPEC member's oil production, as well as Iran targeting shipping in the Straits of Hormuz, have fueled fears of a spike in oil prices and impacts on economies worldwide.
Investors brace for oil price spike, rush to havens after US bombs Iran nuclear sites
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was due to hold a news conference at the Pentagon early on Sunday. In recent days, Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans have argued that Trump must receive permission from the US Congress before committing the US military to any combat against Iran.
Republican Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi applauded the operation but cautioned that the US now faced 'very serious choices ahead.'
One Republican lawmaker, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, simply said, 'This is not constitutional.' Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said it was 'absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.'
Many in Trump's MAGA movement oppose US entanglement in foreign military operations.
Airlines keep avoiding Middle East airspace after US attack on Iran
Trump ally Steve Bannon said on his War Room podcast that the president's address was probably not what a lot of MAGA supporters wanted to hear, and he called on Trump to offer a 'deeper explanation' for why US involvement was necessary.
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber takes off at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Photo: Reuters
Trump-aligned commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X:
'America stands with President Trump.' Israel launched attacks on June 13, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies.
Yemeni Houthi's response to US attack on Iran 'only a matter of time', official says
At least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel began its attacks, Iranian state-run Nour News said, citing the health ministry.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed and 1,272 people injured, according to local authorities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
36 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Iran FM says to meet Russia's Putin on Monday for talks
ISTANBUL: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that he would travel to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday following the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran foreign minister says US attacks on nuclear sites 'outrageous' 'I'm going to Moscow this afternoon' and will hold 'serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow' morning, Araghchi said at a press conference in Istanbul on the sidelines of an OIC summit.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
UK PM Starmer calls on Iran to restart nuclear negotiations
LONDON: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday called on Iran to 'return to the negotiating table' over its nuclear ambitions after the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,' Starmer said on X, adding that 'stability in the region is a priority'. 'We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' The UK, a key ally of the United States, confirmed it had not been involved in the overnight strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. 'We, on this occasion, have not deployed British military force in this mission,' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News, speaking on behalf of the government. 'This was not a situation where that request (for support) was made and the US has used other means to carry out this mission,' Reynolds added. But Reynolds confirmed that the government had been 'informed' in advance of the attack. Britain moved extra fighter jets and other military assets to the Middle East as 'contingency support' last week, as the conflict between Iran and Israel escalated. Trump says Iran's key nuclear sites 'obliterated' by US airstrikes The UK will 'take all actions necessary to defend our own interest… and of course, that of key allies if they are under threat,' Reynolds said. Britain has sought to de-escalate the situation while still opposing Iran's nuclear programme since Israel launched strikes on Iran over a week ago. Israel claimed that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon, which Iran has always denied. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and top European diplomats met with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday to seek a halt in fighting.
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Gaza crisis: Indications that Israel breached human rights obligations, EU's diplomatic service says
BRUSSELS: The European Union's diplomatic service said on Friday there were indications that Israel had breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc, according to a document seen by Reuters. Citing assessments by independent international institutions, the European External Action Service said 'there are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement'. The report comes after months of deepening concern in European capitals about Israel's operations in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the enclave. 16 hurt, building hit in Israel after Iran missiles: rescue services, TV 'Israel's continued restrictions to the provision of food, medicines, medical equipment, and other vital supplies affect the entire population of Gaza present on the affected territory,' the document said. Asked about the EU review, an Israeli official called it 'a one-sided report that exemplifies the double standards the EU uses towards Israel.' Under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into force in 2000, the EU and Israel agreed that their relationship 'shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles'. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced in May that the bloc would examine whether Israel was complying with the terms of the pact, after over half of EU members backed the conducting of a review. The report includes a section dedicated to the situation in Gaza, covering issues related to denial of humanitarian aid, attacks with a significant number of casualties, attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, displacement, and lack of accountability. The report also looks at the situation in the West Bank, including settler violence. The document relies on 'facts verified by and assessments made by independent international institutions, and with a focus on most recent events in Gaza and the West Bank,' it said. Israel has said that it respects international law and that operations in Gaza are necessary to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the review during a gathering in Brussels on Monday. Member countries remain divided in their approach to Israel. While some ministers could advocate for moving toward taking action based on the review, no concrete decisions are expected at Monday's session. Diplomats expect EU officials will reach out to Israel with the outcome of the review in an effort to influence it, and that ministers will return to the subject during a July meeting.
