Early Sunday morning, U.S. forces unleashed coordinated airstrikes against multiple Iranian nuclear sites believed to be integral to Iran’s uranium enrichment program, sparking dramatic Middle Eastern tensions. Former President Donald Trump called this operation “necessary” and warned Tehran it must now either “make peace or face consequences”.
Pentagon sources indicated that the strikes were carried out using precision-guided munitions and long-range bombers operating out of bases in the region and Mediterranean. Targets included Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities as well as various research and development centers, according to satellite images released hours later showing widespread structural damage at Natanz. Iranian state media claimed only “minor losses” and no radioactive leakage occurred at Natanz.
Iran has denounced the strikes as acts of war, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing retaliation: “The Islamic Republic will defend its sovereignty,” he stated in a televised address, adding: “This aggression will not go unanswered.
Tehran recently made headlines when they announced they are withdrawing from voluntary transparency measures agreed upon with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), raising serious doubts as to its commitment to international nuclear inspections.
This strike comes amid weeks of rising rhetoric between Washington and Tehran, driven by reports that Iran had significantly bolstered its stockpile of enriched uranium. Intelligence briefings given earlier this month indicated Iran was nearing the technical threshold needed for weapon production – something seen by Washington as crossing an “red line.”
Donald Trump told his supporters at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona: “Iran has been playing with fire for too long; now they must choose between making peace or risk making a serious miscalculation.”
Donald Trump did not directly authorize any strikes himself; President Biden remains the official commander-in-chief. Nonetheless, analysts point out that Trump’s comments appear consistent with the political stance he adopted during his presidency, particularly after withdrawing from Iran nuclear deal last year.
White House officials have yet to respond to President Trump’s statements, though they confirmed that an operation had been started “in defense of regional and global security”. President Biden will deliver his address later today.
International reactions have been mixed; Israel and Saudi Arabia voiced strong support for the strikes due to their concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while European Union leaders expressed worry over potential wider conflict and encouraged all parties involved to return to diplomatic channels for resolution.
Russia and China issued strong condemnations of the strikes, calling them an offense against international law and warning of possible destabilizing military actions that may further disrupt regional peace.
The United Nations Security Council has convened an urgent meeting in New York to assess the crisis and discuss potential diplomatic responses.
As the world watches closely, the U.S. bombing campaign marks a key turning point in an unpredictable standoff and could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics for years to come.
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