USA strikes three nuclear facilities in Iran

USA: The United States has struck three of Iran’s most prominent nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – marking a major step up in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. President Donald Trump confirmed the US airstrikes and described them as “very successful” while stating that all of the US’s B-2 stealth aircraft were involved in the operation.

The airstrikes threatened Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, without question Iran’s foremost nuclear site was Fordow. A complete payload of bombs fell on Fordow, Trump said, and all US aircraft have left Iranian airspace safely. The president threatened that unless peace arrives soon, the US will continue seeking other targets with precision, speed, and skill, declaring, “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days”.

Michael Rubin, the former official at the Pentagon, thinks that it may not necessarily turn into a full-blown war as the Europeans, United Nations, and even Trump himself could attempt to give Iran an off-ramp to back down. Rubin added that although Israel may desire regime change, US policy is to leave Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alive for future negotiations.

The airstrikes are in the middle of increased tensions between Iran and the US, with Trump indicating that the US desires to keep Khamenei alive in order to have a formal surrender for a more peaceful transition of power and to prevent a vacuum. The situation is volatile, with the potential for further escalation or diplomatic push to defuse the crisis.