The U.S. has conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, as announced by Trump. He emphasized a push for peace while warning Iran to surrender its nuclear ambitions. Amid ongoing conflicts initiated by Israel, tensions have escalated between the nations, with Trump indicating U.S. intelligence knows Khamenei’s location and offering hints at further military involvement.
In a bold military move, the United States has conducted airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran, according to President Trump. The strikes were reported on Saturday night, and are positioned as a direct response to previous Israeli air assaults on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Trump shared on Truth Social just before 8 p.m. that “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.”
The President’s announcement was accompanied by a declaration that a full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow, which is one of Iran’s primary nuclear sites. “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!” Trump emphasized, although the timing of ‘peace’ comes amidst a backdrop of escalating military tensions.
Days before the strikes, Trump had been weighing a diplomatic solution with Iran against the alternative of joining Israel in demolishing its nuclear facilties. His decision came after expressing frustration over Iran’s unwillingness to halt its nuclear ambitions. “Very simple — unconditional surrender,” he stated, also advising Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to intensify strikes against Iranian targets.
Israel began its military offensive against Iran the prior week, eliminating key nuclear scientists and officials associated with the country’s nuclear weapons program. Amid a flurry of conflict between the two nations, Trump warned Tehran to abandon its nuclear aspirations or face a “real end” to the conflict with Israel. He further mentioned that U.S. intelligence knows the whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. However, he added that Tehran’s leader would be spared for the moment.
Khamenei responded with defiance, telling Trump through a spokesperson that any U.S. involvement would lead to “all-out war in the region.” He publicly rejected the notion of surrendering and questioned what it would mean for Iran to do so under threat. In turn, Trump dismissed Khamenei’s rhetoric by simply saying, “I say good luck.”
The U.S. military had been asked by Israel to assist in targeting the Fordow nuclear facility, which is cleverly concealed within a mountain. The U.S. has access to advanced bunker-buster bombs that possess a greater likelihood of effectively neutralizing such underground installations, compared to Israel’s regular arsenal. Trump indicated he was “thinking about” aiding in this matter but was noncommittal on immediate action.
While Trump hinted at potential dialogue with Iranian officials who had expressed willingness to visit Washington, he pointed out the difficulties posed by ongoing airstrikes in Iran. In related events, Israel continued a series of air raids in western Iran which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin characterized this as targeting operatives recovering munitions from already struck locations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate the growing tensions between Israel and Iran, but Trump has turned down that proposition. In a separate note, Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., forewarned of a forthcoming surprise attack on Iran, suggesting its fallout would outclass previous operations. “Let’s just say the world will understand how serious we are about stopping Iran’s capabilities,” Leiter remarked, hinting at the gravity of upcoming military endeavors.
In summary, the U.S.’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities mark a significant escalation of military engagement in the region. Following Trump’s ultimatum to Iran for unconditional surrender, the conflict has heightened with both nations preparing for further actions. While diplomatic conversations have been hinted at, the prevailing military atmosphere suggests that peace remains elusive for the time being. The international community watches closely as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to evolve with potential repercussions globally.
Original Source: nypost.com
