U.S. Strikes Three Nuclear Sites in Iran; Trump Declares: “Now Is the Time for Peace”

Former President Donald Trump announced Sunday that U.S. forces carried out precision airstrikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan in a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the mission as a "very successful attack" and praised the U.S. military for obliterating Iran’s major nuclear enrichment facilities. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. The strikes were a spectacular military success,” Trump declared.

The strikes mark a significant development as the U.S. formally joins Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran. Trump, who had previously suggested he might take up to two weeks to decide whether to intervene, authorized the strikes following Israel’s "Operation Rising Lion," which targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, senior generals, and nuclear scientists amid fears that Tehran was on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon.

According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, more than 600 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict erupted. Israel reports that Iranian forces retaliated with approximately 450 missiles and 1,000 drones, resulting in at least 24 Israeli casualties.

Trump first announced the strikes on his Truth Social platform, writing: “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!”

He added, “This is a HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Trump’s decision, calling it a historic shift in the region. “Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.

“President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, Donald Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength,” he added. Netanyahu emphasized that while Israel has made significant strides in its own military campaign, America’s involvement marked a decisive moment. “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons,” he said.

Netanyahu further stated that Israel’s military operations in Iran would continue “for as long as it takes” to eliminate what he called the “existential threats” posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities.

According to U.S. officials cited by Reuters, the strikes involved B-2 stealth bombers, which had recently been repositioned to Guam. The B-2 aircraft are capable of carrying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets like Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites, including Fordow.

Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times suggest Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken extreme precautions amid the ongoing conflict. Currently residing in a deep underground bunker, Khamenei has reportedly named three senior clerics as possible successors in case of his assassination. He has also ordered the shutdown of all electronic communications surrounding him to reduce the risk of detection, according to Iranian officials familiar with his emergency war plans.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the international community watches closely for any sign of de-escalation or further conflict. Trump’s message remains clear: while the strikes were a show of overwhelming U.S. strength, “now is the time for peace.”

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Source: NDTV‍