
Trump mulls joining Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Report
US President Donald Trump is considering joining Israel's ongoing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to US media reports. The development comes as Trump held a one-hour-and-20-minute meeting with his national security team in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday, where he reviewed options related to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.Sources familiar with the matter, including a senior intelligence official and a Department of Defence official, informed CBS News that President Trump is contemplating joining Israel's multi-day military effort targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.advertisementAccording to Axios, two Israeli officials stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli defense establishment is believing that the Trump is likely to enter the war in the coming days to bomb Iran's underground enrichment facility.
Speculation about deepening US involvement has been fuelled by President Trump's abrupt departure from the G7 Summit and a series of ominous social media warnings. His recent demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender" has further intensified the discussions surrounding potential American action.TRUMP WARNS IRAN, CALLS KHAMENEI AN EASY TARGETIn a series of social media posts, Trump declared that the United States has full control of Iranian airspace, stating that Iran's defence systems, including advanced tracking equipment, are no match for American-made military technology. He hailed the superiority of US defence capabilities in a post on Truth Social.advertisementOn Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff.' Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA."Trump had made another provocative statement, where he said that US intelligence knows where Khamenei is currently located. "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," he said.
Trump also issued a warning to Iran, saying: "But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin."In a follow-up post, he simply wrote in all caps: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" Trump's remarks come at a time when instability in the Middle East is rising following clashes between Israel and Iranian forces.The ongoing violence has claimed over 200 lives in Iran, mostly civilians, and at least 24 Israeli civilians. The conflict has entered its fifth day after missile and drone strikes were exchanged between the two sides.advertisementThe New York Times reported, Iran prepared missiles and military equipment for strikes on US bases in the Middle East if the United States join Israel's war against the country.Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance also indicated that Trump may use the US armed forces in pursuit of American goals. "He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment. That decision ultimately belongs to the president," he said on X.Must Watch
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Time of India
41 minutes ago
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As Indians leave Israel, Odia student decides to stay back
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UNSC emergency meeting: UN Chief António Guterres warns of 'rathole of retaliation' after US hits Iran nuclear sites
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday (June 22) issued a dire warning at an emergency Security Council meeting, saying the United States' bombing of Iranian nuclear sites marks a dangerous escalation in an already unstable region. 'I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East,' Guterres said. 'The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.' Calling the strikes a 'perilous turn,' Guterres lamented that his earlier plea for de-escalation had gone unheeded: 'Two days ago, in this very chamber, I made a direct appeal: give peace a chance. That call was not heeded.' Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also addressed the Security Council via video link, cautioning against further conflict and underscoring the stakes for the global nuclear order. 'We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy,' Grossi said. 'If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels, and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall.' Grossi stressed that nuclear facilities must never be targets in military operations: 'Armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked.' Grossi confirmed significant surface damage at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, one of the country's main uranium enrichment centers. 'There are visible craters at Iran's key Fordow nuclear facility, indicating the use by the United States of America of ground-penetrating munitions,' he said. However, the IAEA chief noted that the full extent of the damage remains unknown. 'No one, including the IAEA, is currently in a position to assess the underground damage at Fordow.' The IAEA also confirmed that parts of the Isfahan nuclear complex — specifically entrances to tunnels used to store highly enriched uranium — were struck in the US airstrikes. 'We have established that entrances to underground tunnels at the site were impacted,' the IAEA said in a formal statement issued Sunday. Grossi elaborated in his Security Council remarks: 'Entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit,' adding that much of Iran's 60% enriched uranium is believed to be stored at Isfahan. Iran has indicated that it may take undisclosed steps to safeguard its nuclear materials, which has raised concerns about reduced transparency. Responding to these reports, Grossi said such steps must be consistent with international obligations. 'Any special measures by Iran to protect its nuclear materials and equipment can be done in accordance with Iran's safeguards obligations,' he stated. 'This is possible — and necessary — under the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.' The UN emergency meeting, requested by Iran, follows the US-led Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities early Sunday. and, Washington claims the strikes were necessary to halt Iran's weapons-grade enrichment efforts.