US bombs 3 nuclear sites in Iran, Trump says now is time for peace

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces have carried out coordinated airstrikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran, a major escalation and the first direct US military involvement in the conflict alongside Israel.

The strikes, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, follow more than a week of Israeli-led assaults targeting Iran’s air defense systems and missile infrastructure.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the mission’s completion: “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” he wrote. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”

Soon after announcing the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Trump said he would deliver a national address at 10 p.m. ET from the White House, calling it a “historic moment” for the US, Israel, and the world.

“I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”

US and Israeli officials have long argued that only American stealth bombers equipped with the 30,000-lb. “bunker buster” bomb are capable of reaching deeply buried nuclear facilities such as Fordow.

Iran has repeatedly warned that attacks on its nuclear sites would prompt retaliation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier stated that any US involvement in attacks on Iran would be “very, very dangerous.”

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, he said Iran “cannot” engage in negotiations with the U.S. while its people are “under bombardment.” Tehran’s response to the direct US involvement, in what had largely been an Israeli-led offensive, remains uncertain.