President Trump announced a ‘very successful attack’ on Iran’s nuclear facilities on Sunday, using B-2 bombers and submarine-launched missiles. The strike targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, which Trump claimed were ‘completely and totally obliterated.’ The operation involved the first combat use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb. The attacks marked a significant escalation in the US-Iran conflict.
Iran denied any radioactive contamination of the sites, with Iran’s Center for the National Nuclear Safety System stating that emergency inspections found no leaks or contamination. The International Atomic Energy Agency has also confirmed that radiation levels at the affected facilities show no increase. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US action, calling it a ‘bold decision’ and stating that it would ‘change history.’ The Israeli leader claimed the attacks would create a ‘pivot of history’ that could lead to ‘prosperity and peace’ for the Middle East.
Tehran condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of the UN Charter and international law. The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the US of conducting a ‘criminal complicity’ with Israel, stating that the ‘war-mongering and law-breaking US government’ is responsible for the ‘extremely dangerous effects and consequences’ of the strike. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran ‘reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.’ The Iranian government also vowed to resist the ‘illegal aggression’ and take ‘all necessary measures’ to counter the US.
Within the US, there was a split in opinion on the legality of the strike. Democrats criticized Trump for ordering the attacks without Congressional approval, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling it ‘grossly unconstitutional,’ and Representative Sean Casten describing it as an ‘unambiguous impeachable offense.’ Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the president’s decision, stating that the strikes ‘follow the history and tradition’ of similar military actions by previous administrations. Rep. Robert Brown Aderholt even drew a parallel between Trump and Winston Churchill.
Regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, also expressed concern over the US attack. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated it was ‘following the strikes with concern,’ urging ‘restraint, calm and prevention of escalation.’ Qatar warned the attack could lead to ‘catastrophic consequences’ for the region and globally, while Oman called it an ‘illegal aggression.’ The international community remains divided on whether the strikes represent a necessary defense against Iran’s nuclear ambitions or an escalation of tensions in a volatile region.