Early Sunday, the United States launched attacks on three sites in Iran, becoming involved in Israel's campaign to dismantle the country's nuclear program. This risky move aimed to weaken a long-standing adversary and raised concerns about a broader regional conflict, as Tehran accused Washington of initiating "a dangerous war."
In a national address from the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's key nuclear facilities had been "completely and fully obliterated," although no independent assessment of the damage was available.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that the attacks targeted its Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz sites but asserted that its nuclear program would continue unabated. Both Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog reported no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes.
It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will continue its military actions in coordination with Israel, which has been engaged in conflict with Iran for nine days. Trump proceeded with the strikes without congressional approval and warned of further action if Tehran retaliated against U.S. forces.
"There will either be peace or tragedy for Iran," he stated.
Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Washington of "betraying diplomacy" through its military strikes in support of Israel, asserting that the U.S. has now initiated a "dangerous war against Iran."
In a detailed statement, the ministry declared, "The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to respond with full force against U.S. military aggression and the crimes committed by this rogue regime, as well as to protect Iran's security and national interests."
Shortly after the American attacks, Iranian missiles targeted regions in northern and central Israel, according to an Israeli rescue service. Initial reports indicated that at least 16 individuals sustained minor injuries, and several buildings were damaged.
In response to the Iranian missile strikes, Israel's military announced that it had "swiftly neutralized" the launchers responsible and had commenced a series of strikes on military targets in western Iran.
The U.S. assisted Israel in targeting Iran's most fortified nuclear facility. Iran insists that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, and U.S. intelligence has concluded that Tehran is not actively seeking a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, both Trump and Israeli leaders contend that Iran could quickly develop a nuclear bomb, posing an immediate threat.
The decision to involve the U.S. directly in the conflict follows over a week of Israeli strikes that have significantly weakened Iran's air defenses and missile capabilities, as well as damaged its nuclear enrichment sites. U.S. and Israeli officials have noted that American B-2 stealth bombers, equipped with a unique 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb, provide the best opportunity to destroy the heavily fortified underground sites associated with Iran's nuclear program.
Trump seems to have determined—encouraged by Israeli officials and numerous Republican lawmakers—that Israel's actions have created a unique opportunity to potentially hinder Iran's nuclear ambitions, possibly for good.
"We have successfully completed our attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," Trump stated in a social media post, using alternative spellings for two of the locations. "All aircraft are now outside Iranian airspace. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow, and all planes are safely returning home."
In a subsequent post, Trump declared, "This is a historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!"
On Sunday, Israel announced the closure of its airspace to all inbound and outbound flights following the U.S. attacks. The White House and Pentagon did not provide immediate details about the operation, but U.S. military leaders are scheduled to hold a briefing at 8 a.m. Eastern.
According to a U.S. official, the attack involved bunker-buster bombs targeting Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which is located deep within a mountain. These bombs are designed to penetrate the ground before detonating. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Additionally, U.S. submarines launched approximately 30 Tomahawk missiles, as reported by another official who also requested anonymity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency stated on X that there has been "no increase in off-site radiation levels" following the strikes, but it will continue to monitor the situation.
Trump's decision to launch strikes marks a departure from some of his previous statements. The attack was a risky move for Trump, who had campaigned on the promise of keeping America out of costly foreign conflicts and had criticized American interventionism. However, he also pledged to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and initially hoped that the threat of military action would lead Iran's leaders to abandon their nuclear program peacefully.
For months, Trump emphasized his commitment to a diplomatic approach aimed at persuading Iran to relinquish its nuclear ambitions. He even convinced Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to delay military action against Iran in favor of giving diplomacy more time, first in April and again in late May.
After Israel began its strikes on Iran, Trump shifted from expressing hope for a "second chance" for a deal to issuing explicit threats to Khamenei and calling for Tehran's unconditional surrender. He has faced criticism from some supporters who argue that further U.S. involvement contradicts his promise to end American participation in costly and endless wars.
In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump's decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities, stating, "Your bold decision, backed by the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history." He added that the U.S. "has accomplished what no other country on earth could do."
Concerns about a broader conflict have emerged. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the strikes as a "dangerous escalation," urging world leaders to pursue diplomatic solutions. "There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly spiral out of control, with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world," he warned.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had threatened to resume attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined Israel's military campaign, called for Muslim nations to unite against "Zionist-American arrogance."
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned the U.S. on Wednesday that strikes against the Islamic Republic would "result in irreparable damage for them." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, "Any American intervention would lead to an all-out war in the region."
The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it was preparing for the possibility of a prolonged conflict, while Iran's foreign minister cautioned that American military involvement "would be very, very dangerous for everyone."
According to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, Israeli strikes on Iran have resulted in at least 865 deaths and 3,396 injuries, including 363 civilians and 215 security personnel.
Trump's decision for direct U.S. military intervention follows an unsuccessful two-month effort by his administration, which included high-level negotiations with Iran, aimed at persuading Tehran to limit its nuclear program. During his previous term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, prompting Tehran to enrich uranium to higher levels and restrict access for IAEA inspectors to its facilities.
