Trump Orders Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites, Vows More Attacks

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military had conducted strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These sites are pivotal to Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. In a televised address, Trump declared that the objective of these strikes was to dismantle Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and neutralize the nuclear threat posed by what he referred to as the world's leading state sponsor of terror. He also hinted at the possibility of additional attacks if Iran did not comply with U.S. demands.

The decision to involve the U.S. directly in the conflict followed a week of Israeli strikes on Iran, which aimed to dismantle the country's air defenses, offensive missile capabilities, and nuclear enrichment facilities. U.S. and Israeli officials had previously indicated that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-lb. bunker buster bomb were crucial for destroying the heavily fortified underground sites connected to Iran's nuclear program.

Iran's state-run news agency confirmed that attacks targeted the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, with an official acknowledging an attack on the underground Fordo nuclear site. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issued a statement asserting that despite the attacks, its nuclear work would not be halted. The organization vowed to continue its efforts, emphasizing the national importance of the industry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision, stating that the U.S. had achieved what no other country could. He described the move as a historic decision that would change the course of history. Netanyahu's support underscored the strategic alliance between the U.S. and Israel in their shared goal of curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. had been in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program for months, warning Israel that its attacks could jeopardize progress. The U.S. had also taken precautionary measures, pulling some diplomats from Iraq's capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East. These actions highlighted the potential for a broader regional conflict, as Iran threatened reprisals following the U.S. strikes.

The escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. and Israel have long viewed Iran's nuclear program as a threat to regional stability, while Iran has insisted that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. The recent strikes and the potential for further military action have heightened the risk of a full-scale war, with both sides preparing for possible escalations.