US launches strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in high stakes war move
The United States launched airstrikes on three Iranian sites on Sunday, joining Israel's ongoing conflict aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear programme in a high-risk move to weaken a longstanding adversary, despite concerns of a wider regional conflict.
In a statement from the White House, President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and fully obliterated."
However, there was no independent assessment of the damage.
It remained unclear whether the US would continue to attack Iran alongside Israel, which has been engaged in a nine-day conflict with Iran. Trump warned Iran that any retaliation against the US would be met with further strikes.
"There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran," he stated, reports the Daily Record.
The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that attacks had taken place on its Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz sites but insisted that its work would not be halted.
The decision to directly involve the US in the conflict comes after over a week of Israeli strikes on Iran, aimed at systematically destroying the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. However, US and Israeli officials believed that American stealth bombers and the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb they carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear programme buried deep underground.
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," Trump announced in a statement on social media. "All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home."
In another emphatic social media post, Trump declared: "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chimed in with acclamation for Trump's decisive move. In a video address, Netanyahu stated: "Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history,".
Trump had nothing but praise for US forces involved in the operation, proclaiming, "has done what no other country on earth could do."
While officials were not forthcoming with specifics, Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed after his 9 p. m.
broadcast that he had spoken directly with the President. Sharing exclusive intel, Hannity specified that the attack entailed six bunker-buster bombs being used on Fordo, while US submarines some 400 miles away fired a volley of 30 Tomahawk missiles towards Natanz and Isfahan's nuclear establishments.
The intensity of military strikes has escalated dangerously due to Iran's promise to strike back at any US involvement in the Israeli conflict, posing international risks and personal jeopardy to Trump. His presidency was largely built on a promise to keep America free from costly foreign entanglements and his criticism of interventionist policies.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres conveyed his grave worries, saying he's "gravely alarmed" by the "dangerous escalation" resulting from US action.
"There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control - with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world," he highlighted in a formal statement.
Friday saw President Trump assure journalists that he wasn't planning to send ground forces to Iran, describing ground troop deployment as "the last thing you want to do."
He indicated earlier that his final decision would come within the next fortnight.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top authority, issued a stern warning to the US on Wednesday, asserting any attacks on the Islamic Republic would "result in irreparable damage for them."
Esmail Baghaei Hamaneh, speaking for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, cautioned against US involvement suggesting it could lead to full-scale war in the area.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that he will stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, initially believing that the threat of military action would prompt Iran to peacefully abandon its nuclear programme.
On Saturday, the Israeli military announced preparations for a potentially prolonged conflict, while Iran's foreign minister warned before the US strike that American military involvement "would be very, very dangerous for everyone."
Tensions escalated as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen vowed to resume targeting US vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined forces with Israel's military campaign, having previously halted such attacks in May under a US agreement.
The US ambassador to Israel revealed that the US had initiated "assisted departure flights," marking the first such flights from Israel since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023 that triggered the war in Gaza.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday that Trump intended to make a decision on the strikes within a fortnight; however, he launched the strikes just two days later.
It seems Trump made the decision - possibly swayed by Israeli officials and numerous Republican lawmakers - that Israel's operation had created a favourable situation, potentially offering a unique chance to significantly hinder Iran's nuclear programme, perhaps even permanently.
Iran's capabilities impaired According to Israeli sources, their offensive has already significantly hampered Iran's air defences, allowing them to inflict considerable damage on several Iranian nuclear sites.
However, in order to obliterate the Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant, Israel sought Trump's aid, specifically the bunker-busting American bomb known as the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. This bomb uses its weight and sheer kinetic force to target deeply buried sites before exploding and is currently only delivered by the B-2 stealth bomber, exclusive to the American arsenal.
If used in the attack, it would mark the first combat use of the weapon.
The bomb carries a conventional warhead and is believed to be capable of penetrating roughly 200 feet (61 meters) beneath the surface before detonating. The bombs can be dropped consecutively, effectively drilling deeper with each subsequent explosion.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran is producing highly enriched uranium at Fordo, which raises the possibility of nuclear material being released into the area if the GBU-57 A/B were used to strike the facility.
Previous Israeli strikes on another Iranian nuclear site, Natanz, specifically on a centrifuge site, have only caused contamination at the site itself, not the surrounding area, according to the IAEA.
Trump's choice for direct U.S. military intervention comes after a two-month failed attempt by his administration, which included high-level talks with Iran, to get Tehran to curb its nuclear programme.
For months, Trump professed his dedication to a diplomatic effort to convince Iran to give up its nuclear aspirations. He managed to persuade Netanyahu twice, in April and again at the end of May, to hold off on military action against Iran to give diplomacy more time.
In recent days, the U.S. has been positioning military aircraft and warships around the Middle East to protect Israel and American bases from potential attacks by Iran.
Trump has swung between expressing hope for Iran's "second chance" at a deal and issuing direct threats towards Khamenei, along with demands for Tehran's unconditional capitulation.
"We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding," Trump announced on social media. "He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill! ), at least not for now."
Seven years after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which he dubbed the "worst deal ever.", he still faces military tensions with Iran.
The 2015 agreement, which involved Iran, the U.S., and other world powers, aimed to provide a long-term solution to limit Tehran's uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions.
Trump criticised the Obama-era deal, condemning it for being overly generous to Iran without addressing their non-nuclear malevolent actions.
Facing backlash from his own MAGA base, including influential conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Trump is dealing with suggestions that any further American involvement contradicts his pledge to stop U.S. participation in costly, protracted conflicts.
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The Irish Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Wounded Iran immediately lashes out at Israel launching volleys of ballistic missiles causing ‘large-scale destruction'
IRAN has launched fresh waves of missiles into Israel just hours after the US blitzed its key nuclear sites, injuring at least 23 people. Tehran, reeling from the unprecedented airstrikes, has warned of "everlasting consequences" after the US got involved. 3 A house in Tel Aviv reduced to rubble Credit: Reuters 3 An Iranian missile sailing towards Israel Credit: Getty 3 A row of houses and an apartment block were heavily damaged by the ballistic missiles Credit: AFP Two waves of around 20 and 10 missiles were fired at targets across Israel, according to the IDF. The weapons penetrated air defences and caused damage in four civilian locations, including Tel Aviv. Thirteen people were wounded in the Tel Aviv area, six in Nes Tziona, three in Haifa, and one on a highway near Beer Yaakov. The person injured on the road was in "moderate" condition, whilst the other victims were all "lightly" wounded. Sirens failed to sound in Haifa, and the IDF said it was investigating a possible malfunction with the "interceptor". Iranian state media claimed that a Khyber missile was deployed for the first time in the conflict. Announcing the fresh attack, the Mehr news agency said: The twentieth wave of large-scale missile-drone operations by the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces was carried out against the military targets of the Zionist regime." More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Most read in The US Sun Like us on Facebook at
Irish Examiner
23 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
How could Iran retaliate after US strikes its nuclear programme?
Iran has spent decades building multi-tiered military capabilities at home and across the region that were at least partly aimed at deterring the United States from attacking it. By entering Israel's war, the US may have removed the last rationale for holding them in reserve. That could mean a wave of attacks on US forces in the Middle East, an attempt to close a key bottleneck for global oil supplies, or a dash to develop a nuclear weapon with what remains of Iran's disputed programme after American strikes on three key sites. A decision to retaliate against the US and its regional allies would give Iran a far larger target bank and one that is much closer than Israel, allowing it to potentially use its missiles and drones to greater effect. The US and Israel have far superior capabilities, but those have not always proven decisive in America's recent history of military interventions in the region. Since Israel started the war with a surprise bombardment of Iran's military and nuclear sites on June 13, Iranian officials from the supreme leader down have warned the US to stay out, saying it would have dire consequences for the entire region. It should soon be clear whether those were empty threats or a grim forecast. One theory is that Iran's next move might be to target the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf sees 20% of all oil traded globally pass, and at its narrowest point it is just 21 miles wide. Any disruption there could send oil prices soaring worldwide and hit American pocket. A satellite image shows vehicles at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran on June 20 (Maxar Technologies/AP) Iran boasts a fleet of fast-attack boats and thousands of naval mines that could potentially make the strait impassable, at least for a time. It could also fire missiles from its long Persian Gulf shore, as its allies, Yemen's Houthi rebels, have done in the Red Sea. The US, with its 5th Fleet stationed in nearby Bahrain, has long pledged to uphold freedom of navigation in the strait and would respond with far superior forces. But even a relatively brief firefight could paralyse shipping traffic and spook investors, causing oil prices to spike and generating international pressure for a ceasefire. Another theory is for Tehran to attack US bases and allies in the region. The US has tens of thousands of troops stationed in the Middle East, including at permanent bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Arab Gulf countries just across the Persian Gulf from Iran – and much closer than Israel. Those bases boast the same kinds of sophisticated air defences as Israel, but would have much less warning time before waves of missiles or swarms of armed drones. Even Israel, which is several hundred miles further away, has been unable to stop all of the incoming fire. Iran could also choose to attack key oil and gas facilities in those countries with the goal of exacting a higher price for US involvement in the war. A drone attack on two major oil sites in Saudi Arabia in 2019 – claimed by the Houthis but widely blamed on Iran – briefly cut the kingdom's oil production in half. Iran could also opt to activate its regional allies. Tehran's so-called Axis of Resistance – a network of militant groups across the Middle East, is a shadow of what it was before the war ignited by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel out of the Gaza Strip – but it still has some formidable capabilities. Israel's 20-month war in Gaza has severely diminished the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, and Israel mauled Lebanon's Hezbollah last autumn, killing most of its top leadership and devastating much of southern Lebanon, making its involvement unlikely. But Iran could still call on the Houthis, who had threatened to resume their attacks in the Red Sea if the US entered the war, and allied militias in Iraq. Both have drone and missile capabilities that would allow them to target the United States and its allies. Iran could also seek to respond through militant attacks further afield, as it is widely accused of doing in the 1990s with an attack on a Jewish community centre in Argentina that was blamed on Iran and Hezbollah. It is also feared Tehran may now sprint towards nuclear arms. It could be days or weeks before the full impact of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites is known. But experts have long warned that even joint US and Israeli strikes would only delay Iran's ability to develop a weapon, not eliminate it. That is because Iran has dispersed its programme across the country to several sites, including hardened, underground facilities. Iran would likely struggle to repair or reconstitute its nuclear programme while Israeli and US warplanes are circling overhead. But it could still decide to fully end its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and abandon the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003 and tested a nuclear weapon three years later, but it had the freedom to develop its programme without punishing air strikes. Iran insists its programme is peaceful, though it is the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. US intelligence agencies and the IAEA assess Iran has not had an organised military nuclear programme since 2003. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but does not acknowledge having such weapons.
Irish Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Iran considering 'all options' after US strikes on three nuclear sites
The United States has completed its successful attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, Donald Trump has confirmed. The locations hit include Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, with the US President announcing "a full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary target, Fordow." The president took to Truth Social to confirm the news, the full post reads: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. "All planes are safely on their way home. 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" In the early hours of this morning Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, called the "outrageous" attack "extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour". In a post on X he wrote: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. "The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." It was the first statement from the Iranian government regarding the US strikes that occurred overnight. Follow our live blog below... Tehran has released a statement vowing to defend itself against US "warmongering". It said in a statement shared on social media: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression." It branded the US attack a "flagrant breach" of a UN security council resolution and asked the alliance to convene an emergency meeting to condemn the attack, adding: "Silence in the face of such blatant aggression would plunge the world into an unprecedented level of danger and chaos." The head of UN's nuclear watchdog says he will be convening an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors on Monday following the US intervention in Iran. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has been the target of much Iranian criticism in recent days for what they describe as conflicting statements that incited Israel's initial attack. He posted to X: "In light of the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the @IAEAorg Board of Governors for tomorrow." Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says Iran needs to "get back around the table" and negotiate with the US as tensions continue to escalate. He told Sky News: "We support the prevention of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. We had proposed a diplomatic course of action, as other European countries had done. The Iranians had rejected that. And I know people will be waking up this morning, and they'll be worried. They'll want to know what this means." He added that the UK has been making extensive preparations for all eventualities - including how to get British nationals out of the country, and "the assets we have in the region to protect British infrastructure, British bases, British personnel if we need to do that." "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, but we need a diplomatic process to turn this round," he added. Iran's retaliatory strikes have injured 16 in Israel, while new Israeli strikes on Iran have been reported this morning. The Magen David Adom rescue service says one of those wounded was a 30-year-old man in moderate condition and the other 10 were lightly wounded. Shortly after the Iranian missile barrage, Israel announced its warplanes were conducting strikes on "military targets" in western Iran, without immediately elaborating. On June 13, Israel launched a surprise barrage of attacks on sites in Iran. Israeli officials said the attack was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Iran has retaliated with a series of missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued to strike sites in Iran. On Sunday morning, the US intervened by striking three nuclear sites in Iran. In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry said "the US has itself launched a dangerous war against Iran" and vowed to defend Iran's security and national interests. According to Donald Trump, the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were a "spectacular military success". He said Iran was the "bully of the Middle East", and that Iranian leadership "must now make peace" - otherwise there would be "future attacks" which would "be far greater". Later on in a phone interview, Trump said Iran "should make peace immediately - otherwise they'll get hit again". Iranian state TV showed what appeared to be previous test-firing footage of the Khorramshahr-4 missile, with an on-screen caption saying it was used on Sunday in a barrage on Israel. The Khorramshahr-4 has the heaviest payload of Iran's ballistic missile fleet, which analysts say may be designed to keep the weapon under a 2,000-kilometer range limit imposed by the country's supreme leader. It has been described as having a 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) range with a 1,500-kilogram (3,300-pound) warhead. UN chief Antonio Guterres says he is "gravely alarmed" by the US attacks on Iran. The secretary general described the move as a "dangerous escalation," adding: "There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. " Guterres said: "I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. "I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the @UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has backed Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran. He said: 'Reform UK stands behind the military actions of the USA overnight. 'Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, the future of Israel depends on it.' Iran's Foreign Ministry says 'the US has itself launched a dangerous war against Iran' after America attacked three nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. 'The world must not forget that it was the United States - during an ongoing diplomatic process - that betrayed diplomacy by supporting the aggressive actions of the genocidal and lawless Israeli regime,' the ministry said in a lengthy statement. It added that Iran 'reserves its right to resist with full force against U.S. military aggression and the crimes committed by this rogue regime, and to defend Iran's security and national interests.' Keir Starmer has said Tehran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon - as the US bombed three sites in Iran in a massive escalation of the Middle East crisis. In a statement on Sunday morning, the PM said:'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and 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.' Overnight it was reported bunker-busting missiles were dropped from American B-2 stealth bombers, including on the Fordow nuclear site. Full story here: Keir Starmer responds to US bombs hitting Iranian nuclear targets Responding to the US' strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and 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.' Iran has warned of "everlasting" consequences after the US carried out a "very successful attack" on three of its nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the US strikes "will have everlasting consequences" and that his country "reserves all options" to retaliate. There have been no radioactive traces detected in Gulf Arab states following the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Saudi Arabia's nuclear regulator. 'No radioactive effects were detected on the environment of the Kingdom, and the Arab Gulf states as a result of the US military targeting of Iran's nuclear facilities,' the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority said in a post on X. The White House has now shared a rare behind-the-scenes look inside the room where Donald Trump made the decision to bomb Iran. Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, called the "outrageous" attack "extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour" in a post on X. He added that every member of the United Nations should be "alarmed" by the "grave violation of the UN charter". It's the first statement from the Iranian government regarding the US strikes that occurred overnight. The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting… A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader has called for missile strikes on US Navy vessels and the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, reports CNN. 'Following America's attack on the Fordow nuclear installation, it is now our turn,' warned Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of the hardline Kayhan newspaper, a well-known conservative voice who has previously identified himself as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 'representative.' A Telegram message from Kayhan quoted Shariatmadari as saying: 'Without hesitation or delay, as a first step we must launch missile strikes on the American naval fleet based in Bahrain and simultaneously close the Strait of Hormuz to American, British, German, and French shipping.' United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the US strike on Iran early on Sunday, urging calm and warning against further escalation in the volatile region. I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of… President Donald Trump took social media after his address to the nation to issue a stark warning to Iran, vowing overwhelming retaliation if Iran responds with force. Giving a short presidential address from the White House, Donald Trump says Iran's nuclear facilities have been"completely and totally obliterated". He went on to discuss the mission's outcome. Read Trump's full address here. Trump also threatened "future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier." He continued, 'This cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left.' Trump warned that the US could 'go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill,' which he said could be done 'in a matter of minutes.' Giving a short presidential address from the White House, Donald Trump says Iran's nuclear facilities have been"completely and totally obliterated". Standing alongside Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the President delivered the confident update on the mission's outcome. Speaking of his objective he said: "Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror. Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Donald Trump and the US have acted with strength following strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Posting on X, the Israeli leader says Trump's "bold decision" to target the three nuclear sites "will change history". President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength.'First comes strength, then comes tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. The following interactive map produced by the American Security Project shows US bases in the Middle East, including air bases, land posts and naval facilities California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state's threat assessment center is 'actively monitoring for any potential impacts" in the state following the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Following the President's action in Iran, California's State Threat Assessment Center is actively monitoring for any potential impacts in California. While there are no specific or credible counter threats we are aware of at this time, we urge everyone to stay vigilant and report… Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., called the decision to strike Iran today 'horrible judgment,' adding he will push for a Senate vote 'on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war.' The American public is overwhelmingly opposed to the U.S. waging war on Iran. And the Israeli Foreign Minister admitted yesterday that Israeli bombing had set the Iranian nuclear program back 'at least 2 or 3 years.' So what made Trump recklessly decide to rush and bomb today?… Congressional Republicans — and at least one Democrat — immediately praised President Donald Trump after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. 'Well done, President Trump,' Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted on X. Texas Sen. John Cornyn called it a 'courageous and correct decision.' Alabama Sen. Katie Britt called the bombings 'strong and surgical.' Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted: 'America first, always.' The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, said Trump 'has made a deliberate — and correct — decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime.' Fordow has been completely emptied and evacuated for several months now.
