‘Iran, the bully of Middle East': Donald Trump's salvo at Tehran after US attacks Iranian nuclear sites
US President dubbed Iran as "the bully of the Middle East" and warned that the Islamic country "must now make peace." His statement came after the US attacked three Iranian nuclear sites — Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow — further escalating the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
"Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," said Trump in a late night address to the nation on Saturday.
"If they do not, future attacks will be far greater, and a lot easier," added Trump, who was flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his address on Saturday evening for US audiences.
Speaking from the White House, the US President said, 'For 40 years, Iran has been saying death to Israel, death to the US. They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs... So many were killed by their general, Qasem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue.'
Following the US' strikes in Iran, now all eyes are on how the Islamic country would respond to the attack.
'Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight. Thank you!" Trump wrote on TRUTH social.
The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US now joining in support of Israel.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US military carried out a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow.
Calling Saturday's attack on Iran the 'most difficult' and 'most lethal' one in the last week, the US President said, '…if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.'
The underground site at Fordow and the larger Natanz plant were Iran's two primary uranium enrichment facilities, out of which Natanz had already been hit by Israel with smaller weapons earlier in the week, the New York Times reported. The third site, located near the historic city of Isfahan, is believed to store Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium.
The conflict began after Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites on June 13.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
31 minutes ago
- NDTV
B2 Bombers, Bunker Busters, Tomahawks: The Weapons US Used To Strike Iran
The US has joined Israel's war against Iran, bombing Tehran's three key nuclear facilities with precision strikes. Washington, DC has used high-end weaponry, including the dreaded GBU-57 bunker busters and Tomahawk cruise missiles, to target the nuclear installations in Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The airstrikes have been followed by a narrative war, with US President Donald Trump claiming that the three nuclear enrichment facilities have been "totally obliterated" and Iran stressing that there were "no signs" of contamination. All eyes are now on how Tehran responds to the situation. While a mega military offensive might lead to further escalation of the conflict, an inadequate response may cause Iran's ruling dispensation to lose popular support. 6 B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers: A mong the most advanced strategic weapons in the US inventory, B-2 bombers can counter very sophisticated air defence systems and carry out precision attacks. According to the US Air Force, the B-2 has massive firepower and its "stealth" features threaten heavily defended targets. "The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2," it says. Priced at about $2.1 billion each, B-2 bombers are the most expensive military aircraft ever built. GBU-57 Bunker Busters: While Trump did not explicitly mention these, the B-2 bombers that struck Iran likely used this heavy ammunition to target Fordow. The GBU-57 is a massive 30,000-pound -- about 13,600 kg -- bomb that can penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding, giving it the name "bunker busters". What sets it apart from other missiles or bombs is that it penetrates the earth's surface before detonation, multiplying the impact exponentially. The GBU-57 is the most powerful bunker buster in the US arsenal. It is about 20 feet in length and has a diameter of 2.6 feet. This sophisticated weapon was developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate, and Boeing conducted its design and testing. Twelve such bombs are reported to have been used as the US struck Iran today. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: According to reports, US submarines launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles during their strikes on Iranian facilities today. A long-range cruise missile used for deep land attacks, the Tomahawk can be fired from US ships and submarines. What makes these missiles lethal is the option to change targets in-flight through satellite communications. According to the US Navy, these missiles can loiter over a target area to respond to emerging targets and also provide battle damage information. This provides the military control room the flexibility to attack long-range fixed targets or support Special Operations Forces. The first operational use of Tomahawk missiles was in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. They were also used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya and Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria. The US reportedly used submarines from its Virginia and Los Angeles line-up to launch the Tomahawk missiles at its targets in Iran. F 22 Raptor F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning IIs The US reportedly used F-22 Raptors and F-35A Lightning fighters to provide air support during the operation. According to the US Air Force, the F-22 Raptor combines stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics and these are coupled with improved supportability. It is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats trying to intercept the US charge. F 35 Lightning II Joining F-22 Raptors today were F-35A Lightning fighters. A fifth-generation fighter of the US Air Force, this aircraft has high-end stealth capabilities and is designed to provide the pilot with unsurpassed situational awareness and the ability to carry out precision strikes in all-weather conditions. The F-35A Lightning IIs have a wingspan of 35 feet, are 51 feet long can carry a payload of over 8,000 kg.
Hans India
38 minutes ago
- Hans India
Israeli Prez, Defence Minister thank Trump for striking nuclear sites in Iran
Tel Aviv: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for carrying out military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, calling it a "decisive moment" between the axis of terror and that of hope. This comes as Trump announced that America had bombed three nuclear sites in Iran and warned Tehran of further precision strikes unless it ended its confrontation with Israel. The targeted locations reportedly include the highly fortified Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities. Taking to X, Herzog posted, "In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed. A decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope. Thank you, US President Donald Trump. Thank you, United States of America." "This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East -- and help advance the urgent release of our hostages held in captivity in Gaza," he added. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also hailed the strikes carried out by the US and Israeli military on the Iranian nuclear sites for the "peace and security" of both countries. Taking to X, he congratulated Trump on his "historic decision" to destroy the three nuclear sites in Iran so that it is assured that Tehran does not have nuclear weapons that "would endanger Israel and the countries of the region, and the national security interests of the United States itself." Katz also congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for leading 'Operation Rising Lion' and the "fight against the Iranian nuclear program and the close relationship with the United States, on this great and historic achievement." "The alliance between the United States and Israel is stronger than ever for the peace and security of both the countries and the entire free world," he added.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Key US military bases in Middle East face increased risk amid Iran retaliation threats
US military bases in region brace for potential Iran retaliation The US military is on elevated alert across key installations in the Middle East after President Donald Trump confirmed airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. As of June 22, 2025, no direct Iranian response has been confirmed, but Iranian officials have warned of consequences for both Israeli and American actions. US military bases in Iraq, including Al Asad Airbase and Erbil Airbase, are among the most exposed to Iranian retaliation. These locations have previously been targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles and proxy rocket attacks. In Syria, US forces stationed near al-Tanf also remain within range of Iranian-backed militias. Also read: US bombs Iran's nuclear sites: All you need to know about the Iranian facilities that are hit by American In the Gulf, the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar are strategic hubs for American air operations and logistics. Both bases host thousands of US personnel and advanced aircraft, including surveillance and bomber support. Regional air defense systems in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been placed on alert. Iran has not formally announced a military response. However, statements from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the foreign ministry suggest that US assets in the region could be subject to reprisal if Tehran assesses that the strikes were coordinated with Israel's earlier attacks under Operation Rising Lion. Live Events US defense officials have declined to comment on troop repositioning or any changes in readiness levels but confirmed that force protection measures have been increased. Commercial flights near Iranian airspace have also been redirected in anticipation of potential escalatory moves. The risk calculus for Washington is further complicated by the presence of US military forces in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, where naval assets remain within range of Iranian drones and missile capabilities. As the situation unfolds, officials across the region are preparing for multiple contingencies involving cyberattacks, militia activity, and direct strikes on US military bases.
