Trump Confirms US Bunker-Buster Strikes in Iran: News Summary \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. military launched targeted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, using a massive bunker-buster bomb in close coordination with Israel. President Trump emphasized the joint effort with Prime Minister Netanyahu and warned of further attacks if Iran fails to seek peace. Iran confirmed the attacks but vowed the strikes won’t derail its nuclear ambitions, while global reactions ranged from praise to concern.
Quick Looks
- Three Iranian nuclear sites hit: Fordo, Isfahan, Natanz.
- Massive Ordnance Penetrator used: 30,000-lb bunker buster via B‑2 bomber.
- Trump-Netanyahu coordination: “perhaps like no team has worked before.”
- Warnings issued: More strikes incoming if Iran resists peace.
- Iran vows resilience: Nuclear plans “not to be stopped.”
- Global response: US Republicans support; nonproliferation groups criticize escalation.
- Regional evacuations: Japan, Germany pull citizens out of Iran.
- Risk of expansion: Warnings of wider conflict including Houthi escalation.
Deep Look
In a bold and unprecedented escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States has entered the fray alongside Israel in targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a move President Donald Trump characterized as necessary to prevent Tehran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. The operation, conducted early Sunday, saw the U.S. military launch coordinated airstrikes against three critical Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz—using advanced stealth bombers and the formidable GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound bunker buster designed to destroy deeply buried targets.
This decisive military intervention came after over a week of sustained Israeli airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities. U.S. officials indicated that the success of fully neutralizing the most fortified nuclear sites could only be achieved through the unique capabilities of the American military, specifically the stealth-enabled B-2 bomber and its capacity to deliver the bunker-busting payload. The Fordo site, buried deep within a mountain, had long posed a significant challenge to conventional weaponry.
Trump-Netanyahu Coordination and Messaging
Speaking publicly shortly after the strikes, President Trump emphasized the level of coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he described as working “as a team” with the U.S. in an operation “like no team has worked before.” Trump said the military success demonstrated unparalleled American capabilities and sent a clear message to Iran.
In a personal call to Netanyahu, Trump reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel. Netanyahu, in a televised statement, called the conversation “emotional” and expressed deep gratitude on behalf of all Israelis and the broader Jewish community. “Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history,” he said, praising the United States for executing what he described as a mission no other nation could undertake.
Military Operation and Target Details
The airstrikes were centered on Fordo, a facility previously considered nearly impregnable due to its location under a mountain and reinforced by layers of concrete and steel. According to reports, six GBU-57 bombs were deployed during the strike, representing the first confirmed combat use of this weapon. Only B-2 stealth bombers can carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, and multiple aerial refueling tankers were reportedly spotted escorting aircraft along routes consistent with operations originating from U.S. bases.
Iran’s state-run IRNA confirmed the attacks on all three nuclear sites but offered little detail. It did, however, cite Qom provincial authorities acknowledging air defense systems activated during the attack on Fordo. Other semiofficial agencies, such as Tasnim and Fars, reported defensive activity and explosions near Isfahan and Natanz, indicating a coordinated multi-site strike strategy by U.S. and Israeli forces.
Iranian Response: Defiance Amid Damage
In a defiant statement, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran vowed that the nation’s nuclear ambitions would not be halted by “evil conspiracies” and asserted that the program would continue due to the commitment of thousands of Iranian scientists. The group framed the attack as an affront to the memory of what it termed “nuclear martyrs,” implying that past assassinations and strikes have only strengthened Iran’s resolve.
President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to nuclear energy, asserting in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran has never sought to build nuclear weapons and remains open to providing guarantees about the peaceful nature of its program. He emphasized that war and threats would not deprive Iran of its right to peaceful nuclear power.
Global and Regional Fallout
The geopolitical ramifications of the strike are already unfolding. Saudi Arabia issued a swift condemnation of what it described as “blatant Israeli aggressions,” reiterating calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to diplomacy. Egypt echoed these sentiments, labeling the strikes as a grave threat to regional security and stability.
Germany reacted by closing its embassy in Tehran and evacuating diplomatic staff. The German Foreign Ministry advised citizens remaining in Iran to seek routes out via Armenia or Turkey. Meanwhile, Japan evacuated a group of its nationals to Azerbaijan, and the U.S. State Department organized assisted departure flights from Tel Aviv to Athens amid rising instability.
The risk of broader conflict is tangible. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran and known for attacking commercial and military targets in the Red Sea, warned that they would resume assaults on U.S. vessels should American involvement in the Israeli campaign deepen.
Congressional and Domestic U.S. Reaction
Domestically, the response in Washington was sharply polarized. Republican leaders largely praised Trump’s decision, hailing it as a necessary deterrent against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called the strike a demonstration of “strength, precision, and clarity.” Senators Lindsey Graham and John Thune echoed support, arguing that decisive military action was overdue.
However, a number of Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans expressed concern about the legality and strategic wisdom of the strikes. Senator Tim Kaine called for congressional oversight, warning against being drawn into another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict without proper authorization. Representative Warren Davidson questioned the constitutional basis for unilateral military action, despite agreeing with the rationale behind countering Iran.
Risk of Escalation and Wider Conflict
Further complicating matters, the Israeli military has begun targeting Iranian military infrastructure beyond nuclear sites, with reported explosions and smoke in Khuzestan province. Hezbollah confirmed that Abu Ali Khalil, a senior security figure and longtime bodyguard of the late Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike while in Iran. This marks a significant escalation and could provoke further retaliation from Hezbollah, which has already signaled a willingness to enter the conflict on Iran’s behalf.
Calls for Mediation
Amid rising tensions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to mediate between the U.S. and Iran. Meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul, Erdogan emphasized that the region cannot sustain another major war. He proposed both technical and leadership-level talks to resolve the crisis diplomatically.
Conclusion: The Crossroads Ahead
The U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities represent a watershed moment, not just for the Middle East but for global nonproliferation efforts and American foreign policy. With both diplomatic and military channels now activated, the path forward hinges on whether Iran chooses to escalate or engage. The Biden administration, Congress, regional powers, and international organizations now face a high-stakes challenge: defusing tensions while preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
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