Trump Orders US Military Strikes Against Iran

In a dramatic escalation, the United States has directly entered the conflict between Israel and Iran. Former President Donald Trump authorized airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, a move that sharply contrasts with earlier attempts to distance the U.S. from the escalating tensions.

US Bombs Hit Iranian Nuclear Sites

On Saturday, U.S. warplanes dropped bombs on three strategic locations within Iran, as announced by Donald Trump. The strikes targeted the Fordow underground facility, along with major uranium enrichment plants in Natanz and near Isfahan. These actions follow days of uncertainty regarding potential American involvement.

“All planes are now outside of Iran air space,” Trump stated on social media, adding that a “full payload” of bombs was used at the Fordow site. He also said that the planes returned safely.

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The attacks occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time in Iran, according to senior Iranian officials who requested anonymity. For days, Trump had been considering providing Israel with the necessary munitions to destroy the Fordow facility, a complex requiring powerful “bunker buster” bombs that only the US possesses.

Tensions Mount in the Middle East

The current conflict originated on June 13th when Israel launched an unexpected assault targeting Iranian infrastructure and military leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that his country was compelled to act to avoid a nuclear “holocaust.”

Iran retaliated with missile attacks and proposed resuming negotiations regarding its nuclear program. Just recently, the Trump administration appeared to be moving away from involvement. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the US was not involved in attacks against Iran.

However, Trump‘s tone has become increasingly aggressive, including threats toward Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a sign of the impending decision, Trump cut short his participation at the G7 summit, surprising allies.

The US has increased its military presence in the region in the past year. As of May 2024, there were 2,500 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq to assist local forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS (Council on Foreign Relations).

The Road Ahead

The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The strikes mark a significant shift in the ongoing tensions, raising questions about the long-term implications for the region.