US forces strike Iran nuclear sites, Trump says Fordow gone
WASHINGTON: US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites in a "very successful attack", President Donald Trump said on Saturday (Jun 21), adding that the crown jewel of Tehran's nuclear program, Fordow, is gone.
After days of deliberation and two weeks before his self-imposed deadline, Trump's decision to join Israel's military campaign against its major rival Iran represents a major escalation of the conflict.
"This was an amazing success tonight," Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview. "They should make peace immediately or they'll get hit again."
He had earlier posted on Truth Social that all US planes were safely on their way home, and he congratulated "our great American Warriors."
He was due to deliver a televised Oval Office address at 10pm local time (10am Singapore time, Sunday).
CBS News reported that the US reached out to Iran diplomatically on Saturday to say the strikes are all the U.S. plans and it does not aim for regime change.
In his late-night address, NBC News said, Trump is expected to say he is not currently planning more strikes inside Iran.
Trump said U.S. forces struck Iran's three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Esfahan and Fordow. He told Fox News six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites.
US B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes, a US official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," Trump posted. "Fordow is gone."
"IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR," he added.
Reuters had reported earlier on Saturday the movement of the B-2 bombers, which can be equipped to carry massive bombs that experts say would be needed to strike Fordow, which is buried under a mountain south of Tehran.
An Iranian official, cited by Tasnim news agency, confirmed that part of the Fordow site was attacked by "enemy airstrikes".
Israel's public broadcaster Kan cited an Israeli official saying the country was "in full coordination" with Washington on the US attack.
A White House official said Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the strikes.
The strikes came as Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries.
DIPLOMACY UNSUCCESSFUL
Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying that it wanted to remove any chance of Tehran developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities have been unsuccessful.
In recent days, Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans have argued that Trump must receive permission from the US Congress before committing the US military to any combat against Iran.
Republican Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi applauded the operation but cautioned that the US now faced "very serious choices ahead."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, a Republican, said that despite the heavy U.S. bombings over Iran, "This war is Israel's war not our war." He added, "There will not be American boots on the ground in Iran."
One Republican lawmaker, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, simply said, "This is not constitutional."
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said the US public "is overwhelmingly opposed to the US waging war on Iran" and accused Trump of displaying "horrible judgment".
Israel launched attacks on Jun 13, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies.
At least 430 people have been killed and 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel began its attacks, Iranian state-run Nour News said, citing the health ministry.
In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed by Iranian missile attacks, according to local authorities, in the worst conflict between the longtime enemies. More than 450 Iranian missiles have been fired towards Israel, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.
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