US joins Israel-Iran conflict; bombs three major nuclear sites
TEHRAN, 9 days ago
In a dramatic move, the US has joined Israel in its attacks on Iran, carrying out large-scale strikes on three key nuclear facilities, Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, with media reports citing President Donald
Trump as saying they were 'completely and totally obliterated.'
Trump called the bombing of three nuclear facilities in Iran a "spectacular military success".
The US had used the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb, known as a “bunker buster,” in its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, reported CNN citing two sources familiar with the operation.
The MOP — a 30,000-pound bomb with 6,000 pounds of explosives — was designed for “reaching and destroying our adversaries’ weapons of mass destruction located in well-protected facilities,” according to a the US Air Force.
It’s unclear how many MOPs were dropped. Saturday is the first known instance of the bomb being used operationally.
Prior to Saturday’s strikes, some US officials had raised pointed questions about whether the MOP would be able to destroy Iran’s nuclear architecture completely, especially where the enrichment facilities are deeply buried, said the CNN report.
President Donald Trump said on social media on Saturday that the US had “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,” Trump said on Truth Social.
He called on Iran to quickly bring peace or said the US would go after other targets with "speed" and "precision".
"Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated," Trump said. "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier."
"This cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House.
Appearing alongside Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump boasted of the mission's success.
Israel had started attacks on Iran earlier this month, while the Americans and the Iranians were in nuclear talks. Trump urged Iran to continue negotiations, but on Saturday he went ahead with strikes.
Iran and its proxies had threatened to target US interests in the region in response to any direct American involvement in the conflict.
Its military capabilities, however, are significantly damaged after nine days of attacks, and the groups it supports, part of the so-called Axis of Resistance, have also been weakened, reported BBC.
Any retaliation could lead to more US attacks, as Trump left the door open for further action.
During his remarks, Trump described the three targets as the "most difficult" and said that if peace does not "come quickly" the US will go after other sites.
"Remember, there are many targets left," Trump said. "Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal."
After the US strike, several world leaders reacted - ranging from Israel lauding President Donald Trump's decision to the UN calling for de-escalation and Iran and some other nations condemning the attacks, reported Reuters.
Hailing the US bold decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "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... History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons."
Australia too backed the US decision stating that "We have been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US President’s statement that now is the time for peace. The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy."
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a scathing attack on US, said: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences."
"Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people," he warned.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, took a cautious route. In his statement, Guterres said:
"I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world."
"I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace," he added.
New Zealand too echoed the same sentiment calling the situation worrying and urged leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Its Foreign Minister Winston Peters said: "We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump’s announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action."
Meanwhile, Venezuela slammed the US military strikes calling it an 'aggression against Iran and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities.
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly and categorically condemns the bombing carried out by the United States military, at the request of the State of Israel, against nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan complexes," stated the Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, on his Telegram, account.
Cuba too joined the Venezuelan line with its President Miguel Diaz-Canel, taking to X to condemn the US action.
"We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences."
However, their neighbouring South American nation Mexico called for dialogue to solve the crisis.
"We urgently call for diplomatic dialogue for peace between the parties involved in the Middle East conflict. In keeping with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country's pacifist conviction, we reiterate our call to de-escalate tensions in the region. The restoration of peaceful coexistence among the states of the region is the highest priority," stated Mexico foreign ministry on its X account.
