Trump Orders Strike on Iran Nuclear Sites as Middle East Conflict Explodes

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that US forces successfully attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear site “gone.”

Trump’s decision to join Israel’s military campaign against Iran marks a significant escalation of the regional conflict.

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that military planes were returning home. “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” he added.

In a three-minute televised Oval Office address, Trump said Iran’s future held “either peace or tragedy,” warning of additional potential targets for US military action. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump stated.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks as violations of international law. “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,” Araghchi posted on social media.

“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.” Iran “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,” he added.

News reported that the US diplomatically contacted Iran Saturday to indicate the strikes were complete and that America did not intend regime change efforts.

The attacks utilized B-2 stealth bombers dropping “bunker buster bombs” and submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to US media reports.

The strikes occurred amid over a week of aerial combat between Israel and Iran, resulting in casualties in both countries. Israel launched attacks on Iran June 13, citing intentions to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons but neither confirms nor denies this.

Iran maintains its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes only. Iranian officials repeatedly state they do not plan to develop nuclear weapons but will pursue nuclear energy and research rights.

Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft argued there was “absolutely no evidence” Iran posed any US threat. “Neither was it existential, nor imminent,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Two nuclear-equipped countries attacked a non-nuclear weapons state without having gotten attacked first. Israel was not attacked by Iran – it started that war; The United States was not attacked by Iran – it started this confrontation.”

Parsi warned the attacks would “send shockwaves” globally, as countries might seek nuclear deterrents for protection. “I fear that we will see proliferation but I also think that this has more or less guarantee that Iran will be a nuclear weapons state in five to 10 years from now.”

Iran’s nuclear agency reported Sunday that radiation monitoring and field surveys showed no contamination or danger to nearby residents. “Following the illegal US attack on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, field surveys and radiation systems data showed: No contamination recorded,” the organization posted.

The agency insisted operations would continue despite the attacks. “The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran assures the great Iranian nation that despite the evil conspiracies of its enemies, with the efforts of thousands of its revolutionary and motivated scientists and experts, it will not allow the development of this national industry, which is the result of the blood of nuclear martyrs, to be stopped.”

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed no radiation level increases at Iranian nuclear sites following the strikes. “Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran… the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,” the nuclear watchdog posted.

Parsi suggested Iran likely took precautionary measures before the attacks, possibly moving valuable nuclear assets including enriched uranium stockpiles. “As long as they continue to have that, they still actually have very much a nuclear programme that still could be weaponised,” he noted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision. “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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave alarm at the “dangerous escalation.” “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he stated.

Iranian state-run Nour News reported at least 430 deaths and 3,500 injuries in Iran since Israel began attacks. In Israel, 24 civilians died from Iranian missile attacks, with over 450 Iranian missiles fired toward Israel according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Israeli officials reported nearly 1,300 injuries since hostilities began, with over a dozen in serious condition./isolated-segment.html