The United States carried out bombings on three nuclear complexes in Iran on Saturday night, joining the war between Iran and Israel.
According to news agency Reuters, heavy B2 bombers were used. In a speech, President Donald Trump said that nuclear installations in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan had been completely destroyed. “Fordow is gone,” Trump said. The Iranian authorities deny this, stating that the complex has not been seriously damaged.
Fordow, located near the holy city of Qom, is considered the heart of Iran’s nuclear program. It was believed that uranium was being enriched in 2,200 centrifuges there. In Natanz, about 250 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, uranium was supposedly being enriched to make a nuclear bomb.
Trump stated that the U.S. would carry out new attacks if Iran did not agree to peace. Israel had already asked the U.S. to help with attacks on nuclear complexes in Iran.
The U.S. had already moved the B2 bombers to Guam, an American island in the Pacific Ocean. Only those would be able to destroy the underground nuclear installation Fordow. According to Fox News, the U.S. used six so-called bunker busters that can penetrate thick layers of concrete. The bombs were said to weigh 15 tons each.
Trump speaks of very successful attack
Trump decided on the attacks on Saturday evening after consulting with his security team. According to an Israeli spokesperson, the American government informed Israel in advance of the bombings in Iran.
On his platform Truth Social, Trump speaks of a “very successful attack” on the complexes Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. “All our planes have now left Iranian airspace.” Trump praised the power of the American army. “And now it’s time for peace.”
The U.S. attack is a further escalation of the war between Israel and Iran, which has now lasted nine days. Trump had regularly stated that the U.S. would no longer interfere in wars in Europe or the Middle East. But he no longer wanted to stand by and watch with Iran.
The U.S. supported Israel’s claim that Iran was “close to making a nuclear bomb.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had therefore previously decided to carry out attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran. Trump said on Saturday that he “wanted to give diplomacy one last chance.”
Iran confirms attack on Fordow
An Iranian spokesperson has confirmed the attack on Fordow. “Part of the nuclear complex has been hit by hostile air strikes.” The Iranian atomic agency said on Sunday morning that it would continue its nuclear activities despite the U.S. attacks.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, had recently warned the U.S. to stay out of the conflict between Israel and his country. He himself would also be a possible target of attacks from Israel.
Khamenei had already threatened reprisals in the event of an American attack. The U.S. has now begun evacuation flights of American citizens from Israel and the West Bank.