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On Saturday (June 21), President Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted airstrikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The targeted sites included Fordow, a heavily fortified underground nuclear facility, as well as Natanz and a location near Isfahan, where Iran stores near-bomb-grade enriched uranium.
According to The New York Times, the strikes involved multiple B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which are capable of carrying 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs. President Trump confirmed that all planes had safely exited Iranian airspace after delivering a "full payload" of bombs.
The decision to strike came after days of deliberation by President Trump, who had been under pressure from both interventionist and anti-interventionist supporters. The move aligns the United States with Israel, which had already launched its own attacks on Iranian sites, including missile and drone strikes. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, claimed that the bombing campaign had set back Iran's nuclear capabilities by two to three years. However, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran would not cease its nuclear activities and warned of continued military retaliation against Israel.
The U.S. Department of State has initiated the evacuation of Americans from Israel, with various transportation options being arranged. The situation remains tense, with potential for further escalation as both Iran and Israel continue to exchange military strikes. President Trump emphasized the need for peace but acknowledged the challenges in halting military actions amid ongoing hostilities.