President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the United States has bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, joining Israel’s war against US’s major rival.
Mr Trump, who on Friday said he would take as long as two weeks to decide whether the US should enter the conflict on Israel’s side, said the American planes “completed a very successful attack” on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
“All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” he posted on Truth Social
“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! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.
Mr Trump also said he will address the nation at 10 pm (local time) regarding US’ “very successful military operation” in Iran.
“This is a HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR,” he said.
Israel’s former defence minister Yoav Gallant reacted to the US strikes and said the “world is now a safer place”.
“President Trump took a bold decision for the United States, for Israel, for all of humanity,” he posted on X.
The Israel-Iran war began when the Israeli military launched “Operation Rising Lion” and attacked Iran’s nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. Israel said it had concluded Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.
At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran, and more than 2,000 others injured, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Israel has said that Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones, killing at least 24 people.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli military operations in Iran would continue “for as long as it takes” to eliminate the “existential threats” of Iran’s nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles.
US B-2 Bombers Involved In Iran Strikes
The US used B-2 bombers in strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, news agency Reuters reported, citing a US official.
Iran’s Khamenei, Living In Bunker, Names 3 Possible Successors
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is currently living in a deep bunker since the conflict with Israel began, has named three senior clerics as candidates to take his place if he is assassinated, The New York Times reported.
He has also instructed officials to shut down all electronic communications around him to make it harder to find him, the newspaper reported, quoting three Iranian officials familiar with Khamenei’s emergency war plans.
