This photo shows a general view of the Isfahan nuclear power plant (UCF), south of Tehran, on March 30, 2005. (Credit: Henghameh Fahimi/AFP)
Overnight Saturday into Sunday, the United States launched airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran, marking Washington’s official entry into the war between Israel and the Islamic Republic. The strikes were carried out in coordination with Israel.
The facts
- “All planes are now out of Iranian airspace,” President Donald Trump posted on social media, confirming a full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordo, Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear site. “All planes are on their way back, safe and sound,” he added.
- According to Trump, the three targeted sites included Iran’s two main uranium enrichment centers — Fordo and Natanz — as well as a third facility near Isfahan, where inspectors recently discovered near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. Natanz had been struck days earlier by Israel.
- In a national address at 10 p.m. local time (5 a.m. in Beirut), Trump thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the operation a joint effort to neutralize a “terrible threat to Israel.” He warned that if peace is not quickly restored, “Iran will face a much more severe tragedy than the one we've experienced in the past eight days,” adding, “There are plenty of targets left. Tonight’s was by far the most difficult.”
- Netanyahu called the operation “a historic turning point that can lead the Middle East and beyond toward a future of prosperity and peace.” He praised Trump’s leadership and echoed a shared belief: “Peace comes through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace.”
- Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, citing an anonymous official, reported that Israel had been in “full coordination” with the U.S. throughout the attacks.
- Iranian media, including the Tasnim news agency and state-run IRNA, confirmed strikes on Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
- Iran had previously refrained from directly targeting U.S. forces or interests, but had warned that American intervention would trigger retaliation, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Context
- The U.S. strikes follow over a week of Israeli attacks on Iran’s missile arsenal, air defenses, and nuclear infrastructure.
- American and Israeli officials said the assault involved stealth B-2 bombers and 13,500-kilogram GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, aimed at penetrating Iran’s deeply buried Fordo facility.
- Reuters reported Saturday that B-2 bombers had been moved to Guam, the only aircraft capable of delivering the GBU-57.
- On June 13, Israel initiated direct attacks on Iran, vowing to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear arms, claiming its program is strictly civilian.
- In response, Iran launched waves of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel. Most were intercepted.
- Trump’s decision to intervene follows two months of failed diplomacy aimed at convincing Iran to curb its nuclear program. He twice persuaded Netanyahu to delay strikes to give diplomacy a chance — in April and again in late May.
- The strikes come after months of Israeli attacks on Iran-aligned groups across the region, including operations that decimated Hezbollah’s leadership. Simultaneously, Israel’s war in Gaza — widely criticized for its humanitarian toll — is ongoing. Critics argue the new war with Iran could serve to shift global attention away from Gaza.
Key issues
- The U.S. decision to enter the conflict carries high risk. Iran has vowed to retaliate if Washington joins the assault, but it remains unclear how or when such a response might come.
- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that U.S. strikes would cause “irreparable damage.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei added that any American attack “would pave the way for open war in the region.”
- A senior Houthi official in Yemen, Hezam al-Assad, posted on X that Trump “must bear the consequences” for the U.S. strikes. The Iran-backed Houthis also said they are prepared to target U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea if America continues its intervention in support of Israel.
- Tehran has previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz — a vital passage for 30 to 40 percent of global oil shipments, especially to Asia. Such a move could provoke a regional explosion, affecting oil-dependent countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Bahrain.
- However, a major Iranian counterattack could invite deeper U.S. military involvement and directly endanger the regime's survival.
- For Trump, the political risks are also significant. Many of his supporters were drawn to his isolationist stance and his repeated promises to avoid new wars. A full-scale conflict with Iran could alienate parts of his base ahead of the election.
Overnight Saturday into Sunday, the United States launched airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran, marking Washington’s official entry into the war between Israel and the Islamic Republic. The strikes were carried out in coordination with Israel.The facts“All planes are now out of Iranian airspace,” President Donald Trump posted on social media, confirming a full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordo, Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear site. “All planes are on their way back, safe and sound,” he added.According to Trump, the three targeted sites included Iran’s two main uranium enrichment centers — Fordo and Natanz — as well as a third facility near Isfahan, where inspectors recently discovered near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. Natanz had been struck days earlier by Israel.In a national address at...