US Bombed Iran’s Nuclear Sites: The United States, under President Donald Trump’s direction, launched airstrikes against three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The stated primary objective of these strikes, as announced by President Trump, was the “destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity” and to “stop the nuclear threat” posed by what he referred to as the “world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. 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,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
This action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and effectively sees the US directly join Israel’s military campaign against Iran.
Here’s a breakdown of the reasons and context behind these strikes:
Preventing a Nuclear Weapon: The fundamental motivation for these strikes, from the US and Israeli perspective, is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. They view Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, particularly at sites like Natanz and Fordo (which has been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels), as a direct threat to regional and global security.
Response to Escalating Conflict: The US strikes came after more than a week of Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear and military targets. US and Israeli officials reportedly determined that American stealth bombers and powerful “bunker-buster” bombs were necessary to effectively target heavily fortified underground facilities like Fordo, which Israeli strikes alone had not been able to destroy.
“Bunker Buster” Capabilities: The US utilised B-2 Spirit bombers to deliver GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, which are designed to penetrate deep underground and destroy hardened targets. This capability is unique to the US arsenal and was deemed crucial for striking sites like Fordo, which is buried under a mountain. Tomahawk missiles from submarines also reportedly targeted Natanz and Isfahan.
Deterrence and Warning: The strikes serve as a strong message to Iran, aiming to deter further nuclear advancements and warn against retaliation. President Trump issued warnings of further attacks if Iran retaliated against US forces.
Support for Israel: The US directly inserting itself into the conflict is seen as a major show of support for Israel, which has long viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat.
Iranian Response and International Reaction:
Iran has vehemently condemned the US attacks, calling them a “blatant violation of international law” and vowing that its nuclear program will continue. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated that initial surveys showed no significant contamination or danger to residents near the targeted sites.
The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed grave alarm over the escalation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of a “dangerous escalation” that could “rapidly get out of control.”
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