Middle East bully Iran’s nuclear facilities obliterated: Trump in address to nation

US President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Sunday, hours after American forces launched coordinated airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Calling it a “spectacular military success”, Trump said the mission had achieved its primary goal: the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.

“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier. Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal,” the President said.

The US operation marked the first direct American military involvement in Iran’s ongoing conflict with Israel. It followed over a week of Israeli-led strikes targeting Iran’s air defence systems and missile infrastructure.

“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said from White House.

In a clear signal of future intent, Trump said, “If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill”.

The President also praised Israel and its leadership for joint coordination. “I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before. We’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel. I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they’ve done”.