Three key Iranian nuclear sites were ‘completely and totally obliterated’ in a morning attack by US bombers, President Donald Trump has announced.
The raid comes just over a week after Israel escalated the conflict in the Middle East with a surprise round of strikes on nuclear and military locations in Iran.
Over the past eight days, the two countries have exchanged missile fire, resulting in dozens of deaths – including several top Iranian military officials, as well as civilians.
The US has now officially joined Israel in its campaign to end an alleged effort by Iran – denied by its leaders – to acquire a nuclear weapon.
In a statement delivered at the White House, Trump thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli military, and ‘the great American patriots who flew those magnificant machines’.
Flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, he said: ‘Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success.
‘Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.’
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency confirmed the Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites had been attacked.
Speculation over a potential US strike on Iran has been building for the past week, with Trump refusing to commit one way or the other.
There were questions over whether the US might deploy its 13,500kg ‘bunker buster’ bomb to penetrate the deepest levels of the Fordo facility.
While Trump confirmed B-2 stealth bombers had been involved in the raid, he did not say which type of bombs were used.
B-2 bombers are only used by the US military, and they are the only aircraft capable of carrying and delivering the penetrator bomb.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
