WASHINGTON, June 22: In a dramatic escalation of the Middle East hostilities, the
US has joined Israel in launching coordinated airstrikes on three
of Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities. Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were bombed overnight Saturday. This is the first direct American military intervention in Iran in decades.
President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes late Saturday (local time),
calling the mission a “very successful military operation” and declaring that
all US aircraft had safely exited Iranian airspace.
“A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” Trump posted
on Truth Social, referring to the underground enrichment facility near Qom.
The operation, conducted in close coordination with Israeli forces, involved
B-2 stealth bombers deploying 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, specifically
targeting Iran’s deeply buried nuclear infrastructure.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has since reported no immediate
signs of off-site radiation leakage.
The strikes follow more than a week of Israeli attacks aimed at crippling Iran’s
air defences and missile systems.
Trump’s decision to intervene militarily represents a sharp departure from
his earlier campaign promises to avoid foreign entanglements.
“There is not another military in the world that could have done this,” he
said. “Now is the time for peace”.
Iran has condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and international
law. Iranian State media aired a stark warning to the US, displaying a map of
American military bases in the region with the message: “Mr. Trump, you started
it, and we will end it”.
In response to the strikes, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israeli
cities, injuring at least 20 people and causing significant damage in Tel Aviv
and Haifa.
Iranian officials have vowed further retaliation, and the country’s Supreme
Leader has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom announced that it would support the US-led coalition,
citing the need to “uphold international security and prevent nuclear proliferation.”
British naval forces in the Persian Gulf have reportedly been placed on high
alert.
Adding to the geopolitical strain, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued
a stern warning to President Trump, stating that “continued aggression in the
region will have consequences.” While details of Russia’s potential response
remain unclear, Moscow has called for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic
resolution.
With multiple global powers now entangled in the conflict, analysts warn that
the situation could spiral into a broader war. “We are closer to a global military
confrontation than at any point in the last 50 years,” said retired General
Mark Hastings on CNN.
As the world watches with bated breath, diplomatic channels remain open - but
fragile. President Trump is expected to address the nation again tonight, while
the UN Security Council prepares for an emergency session in New York.
Fordow: This is the most fortified of all nuclear sites in Iran. It
is very deep underground than Natanz and Isfahan. Israel wanted the US to strike
Fordow as it did not have that powerful bombs. “FORDOW IS GONE”, Trump posted
on his Truth Social platform after the strikes. Fordow is located 30 km northeast
of the city of Qom in Qom province, and 95 km southwest of Tehran. Fordow is
a fuel enrichment plant, said to be able to produce centrifuges. (To build a
nuclear weapon, uranium must be enriched to about 90 per cent U-235. ) When
Fordow became public, the US talks began. The 7-nation 2015 deal put strict
curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions. B-2 bombers
carrying MOPs were used in the Sunday attack.
What is MOP: Massive Ordance Penetrator or MOP is a precision-guided
bomb, also called "bunker-buster bomb". About a dozens MOP bombs, each weighing
13,000 kg, were deployed to destroy Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. And 30 submarine-launched missiles also were used. The MOP can penetrate 200 feet into the ground. Fordow,
Natanz and Isfahan were hit.
What are B-2 bombers: B-2 stealth bombers carry MOPs, two at a time.
Seven bombers were deployed. B-2's range is 9,600 km. With aerial refuelling,
the bomber, with low observability (minimise detection by enemy), can reach
virtually any target worldwide. Can carry nuclear weapons also. Can seat two
pilots. They are based in Missouri.
-With AI