Trump says US has struck three nuclear sites in Iran in ‘successful attack’
Published on •Updated
The US struck three nuclear sites in Iran, directly joining Israel’s efforts to decapitate the country’s nuclear programme, US President Donald Trump said overnight on Sunday.
The US leader posted on his Truth Social account that a “full payload of bombs was dropped” on the Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan nuclear sites.
“Congratulations to our great American warriors,” Trump said, adding that it is now “time for peace”.
His decision to directly involve the US comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that aimed to systematically eradicate the country’s air defences and offensive military capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities.
On Saturday, multiple US B-2 bombers appeared to be airborne and heading west from the US. B-2 bombers are the only aircraft that carry the larger bunker buster bombs.
Aside from an on-the-ground raid or even a nuclear strike, Iran’s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility is considered out of reach to all but American bunker-buster bombs.
Both US and Israeli officials said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000lb bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily-fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear programme buried deep underground.
The bunker buster bombs are believed to be able to penetrate about 200 feet (61 metres) below the surface before exploding. They can be dropped one after another, effectively drilling deeper and deeper with each successive blast.
Trump said B-2 stealth bombers were used, but did not specify which types of bombs were dropped. The White House and Pentagon did not immediately elaborate on the operation.
Iran had previously pledged to retaliate if the US joined the Israeli assault. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Wednesday the US that strikes targeting his nation would “result in irreparable damage for them.”
This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.
Source link
