U.S. Joins Israel Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Trump confirmed that American forces struck three heavily fortified Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—marking direct U.S. involvement alongside Israel. Iran warns of dangerous repercussions, while regional tensions escalate with Houthi threats and civilian casualties mounting. Israel prepares for a prolonged campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Quick Looks
- Trump confirms U.S. role: American stealth bombers hit Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan.
- Israel’s systematic campaign continues with U.S. delivering bunker‑buster bombs.
- Iran warns escalation: Diplomats call U.S. involvement “very dangerous.”
- Regional tensions rising: Houthis threaten attacks on U.S. ships.
- Civilian toll & infrastructure damage: Hundreds killed; internet outages reported.
Deep Look
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out a direct military strike on three fortified Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The operation marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as it officially joins Israel in an aggressive military campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Speaking on social media, President Trump confirmed the strikes, stating, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran… A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.” The airstrike utilized America’s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, uniquely capable of deploying 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs required to penetrate Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
Strategic Collaboration with Israel
For over a week, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iranian missile platforms, radar installations, and enrichment facilities. However, Israeli and American defense officials acknowledged that destroying hardened nuclear sites—particularly Fordow, buried deep inside a mountain—required military assets that only the U.S. possesses. This joint operation represents the most direct and dangerous American involvement in a Middle Eastern military conflict in years.
According to Israeli military sources, the U.S. contribution was essential in delivering crippling blows to sites previously considered unreachable. Overnight, Israeli forces also struck a centrifuge-production facility in Esfahan and confirmed the deaths of three senior Iranian commanders involved in Tehran’s nuclear weapons program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified that the Esfahan facility suffered “extensive damage” but assured that there was no off-site radioactive contamination.
Iran’s Response and Diplomatic Fallout
Iranian officials swiftly condemned the U.S. strikes. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that American involvement in what Tehran sees as an Israeli war “would be very, very dangerous for everyone,” warning of wide-ranging retaliation. Speaking at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Turkey, Araghchi ruled out any negotiations with Washington as long as Israeli attacks persist.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to resume attacks on American naval vessels in the Red Sea. Their warning comes despite a ceasefire reached in May with the U.S. that had halted hostilities in the strategic waterway.
Inside Iran, panic and chaos are growing. Civilian casualties continue to mount, with over 722 Iranians dead and more than 2,500 injured, according to a Washington-based human rights organization. Many civilians have described horrific injuries. “I’ve had five surgeries,” said a woman in a Tehran hospital, who was injured during an airstrike. “I think I have nothing intact.” Another man, struck during a delivery run, recounted the explosion: “It blew up right in front of me.”
With fear spreading, large numbers of Iranians are fleeing cities, and some have crossed into neighboring Armenia. Internet access remains severely disrupted, with NetBlocks.org confirming near-total outages in key urban areas.
U.S. Policy Shift and Domestic Implications
Trump’s decision marks a sharp departure from his prior isolationist rhetoric. Once a vocal critic of American interventionism, President Trump now faces a potential drawn-out military engagement in the region. While he has not committed to deeper involvement, he acknowledged that additional actions could follow pending discussions with his national security team.
The U.S. military was already repositioning assets. Aerial refueling tankers were seen moving across the Pacific in formations consistent with long-range bomber escorts, although it remains unclear whether further strikes are imminent or simply a show of force.
Israel Prepares for a Long Campaign
Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has directed the army to prepare for a prolonged conflict. Military sources estimate that over 50% of Iran’s launch capability has been destroyed. Still, Iran has fired more than 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, with most intercepted. However, the barrage has killed at least 24 Israelis and wounded over 1,000.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign will continue “for as long as it takes” to eliminate what he termed the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Nuclear Program Disputes and Political Tensions
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and focused on energy, but enrichment levels reaching 60%—just short of weapons-grade—have raised international alarms. President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Iran would never surrender its right to nuclear energy and expressed willingness to offer transparency, though not cessation, in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The U.S., under Trump, maintains that Iran must end enrichment entirely. This hardline stance stems in part from the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump abandoned in his previous term, leading Iran to reduce international oversight and accelerate enrichment activities.
Targeted Assassinations and New Threats
Israel’s military claims to have killed Saeed Izadi, a Revolutionary Guard commander accused of funding Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Another top figure, Behnam Shahriyari, allegedly responsible for weapons transfers to Hezbollah and Hamas, was killed in western Iran. Iranian officials have not confirmed all the deaths, but local reports in Qom indicated a residential building was hit, with multiple fatalities.
In a disturbing development, Iran threatened IAEA Director Rafael Grossi after he warned that attacks on Iran’s reactors could cause catastrophic radiation leaks. An advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Grossi would “pay” for his statements once the war concludes.
With diplomatic efforts stalled—talks in Geneva failed to reach any agreement—world leaders are watching closely. The U.S. faces a pivotal decision: double down on military action or re-engage in diplomacy to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East.
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