US strikes Iranian nuclear sites as Tehran responds with missile barrage on Israel

Daily News Egypt

4 hours ago

The escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran reached a dangerous new phase after US President Donald Trump announced a 'highly successful' strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities—an action that analysts warn could plunge the region into a full-scale war.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said the operation targeted the nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, declaring that the Fordow facility was 'finished' after a full payload of precision-guided bombs was deployed. 'Now is the time for peace,' he said, following the announcement.
According to a source quoted by Reuters, Iran had preemptively moved most of its highly enriched uranium from Fordow and had reduced staff presence at the site ahead of the strike.
In swift retaliation, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel early Sunday, in what officials are calling the most direct and dangerous confrontation yet between the two states. Israeli authorities reported at least 27 injuries, with rockets striking Tel Aviv and Haifa and causing significant damage to infrastructure and residential areas.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised Trump's actions, calling them a 'historic decision' and emphasizing that the targeted strikes were meant to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'This is a pivotal moment for regional security,' he said.
In Washington, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes had 'erased Iran's nuclear ambitions,' stressing that the operation was carefully designed to avoid civilian casualties. 'Any retaliation from Iran will trigger a significantly stronger response,' he warned.
Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that the Fordow facility had sustained extensive damage, calling the mission 'a major military success.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that 'the world is safer and more stable today,' and reiterated that the United States remains open to renewed dialogue with Iran, despite the operation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sharply condemned the strikes, calling them an 'unforgivable international crime.' He ruled out any talks with Washington 'as long as acts of aggression continue.'
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that the Iranian parliament approved a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz, pending final approval from the country's Supreme National Security Council—a move that could disrupt global oil flows.
Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that no radiation had been released from the targeted nuclear sites, concerns remain over potential environmental fallout should the attacks continue.
In response to Iran's missile barrage, the Israeli military launched additional airstrikes on Sunday targeting drone and missile bases in Isfahan, Bushehr, Ahvaz, and, for the first time, Yazd. According to Israeli military sources, 30 fighter jets were deployed in the operation.
The financial cost of the ongoing conflict is mounting. Israeli media reported that over 32,000 damage compensation claims have been filed, with the total cost of the week-long conflict estimated at 12bn shekels—including 5bn shekels allocated to missile defense systems.
Calls for de-escalation continue to intensify. Egypt's Foreign Ministry urged all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and pursue a political resolution to the crisis. Cairo also held urgent consultations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan, emphasizing the need to uphold national sovereignty and prevent a broader descent into regional chaos.
France, Germany, and the European Union joined the chorus of international concern. The EU's foreign policy chief labeled the situation 'extremely dangerous' and reiterated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a global security imperative, adding that diplomacy is the only path forward.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Iran's nuclear program poses a 'serious threat' to international security and called on Tehran to re-engage in negotiations immediately.
Regional powers, including Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and warned of catastrophic consequences for regional stability if hostilities are not curtailed.
While Israeli officials publicly denied plans for further escalation, the Financial Times reported that some senior figures within the government favor halting additional operations following the US strike—though they noted that Iran's next move would likely determine the trajectory of the conflict.
On the ground, Iran's judiciary announced the arrest of seven individuals on charges of espionage and terrorism amid fears of further unrest. A senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard vowed continued attacks on Israel, declaring that 'the Zionist entity will not enjoy peace.'
In a rare statement, Yemen's Houthi movement voiced solidarity with Iran, condemning the US and Israeli strikes as 'Zionist-American aggression' and violations of international law.