ROUNDUP: US attacks Iran's nuclear facilities

WASHINGTON/TEHERAN/TEL AVIV (dpa-AFX) - The US has intervened alongside Israel in the war against Iran and, according to US President Donald Trump, has attacked nuclear facilities. Iran's "crucial uranium enrichment facilities" have been completely destroyed, Trump said at the White House. The underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow, as well as the sites in Natanz and Isfahan, were bombed. Iran must now choose the path of peace, otherwise future attacks will be much greater, Trump threatened. Whether the Islamic Republic will retaliate against US bases in the region despite this sharp threat remains to be seen.

"If peace doesn't come quickly, we will strike the other targets with precision, speed, and skill, most of which can be eliminated in minutes," Trump warned the leadership in Tehran. The US goal was to destroy Iran's enrichment capabilities and end the nuclear threat posed by the "world's largest state sponsor of terror," Trump explained. According to US media, a total of around 40,000 troops are stationed at US military bases in the region—for example, in Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait.

UN chief warns of catastrophic consequences for the world

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the US president's decision a "courageous decision." "Your courageous decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the immense and just power of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video message. Before the attacks, Trump had emphasized that Iran must never acquire a nuclear bomb. He had actually run for office on the goal of not leading the US into new wars.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed "deep concern" following the US attacks and warned of catastrophic consequences for the world. "In this perilous hour, it is crucial to avoid a spiral of chaos," Guterres said overnight. Member states are called upon to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter. "There is no military solution. The only way forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace," Guterres said.

Iran confirms attacks on nuclear facilities

Iran confirmed an attack on the country's nuclear facilities. However, the state-run IRNA news agency reported only that part of the area around the Fordow uranium enrichment facility had been damaged. It quoted a spokesperson for the crisis management team in the affected province of Qom as saying that the situation in the areas was now calm again. A high-ranking security official in Isfahan province also confirmed attacks "near" the nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz, according to the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the powerful Revolutionary Guards.

According to an Iranian official, there is no risk following the US attack on Fordow. There is no danger whatsoever for the population of Qom and the surrounding areas, the state news agency IRNA reported, citing the crisis management center of the affected province. The Fordow facility is located approximately 100 meters underground. It is unclear whether a heavy bombing would cause radioactive emissions to leak from the facility. Meanwhile, thermal images from NASA satellites showed conspicuous heat sources, indicating fires at the facility as a result of the bombing.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization strongly condemned the US attacks on its nuclear facilities. The organization called on the international community to also condemn the bombings. The organization described the attacks on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities as a "barbaric act" that violated international law.

Tehran also blamed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), claiming the attacks were carried out "with the indifference or even complicity" of the IAEA. Iran's nuclear agency stated that despite the "evil conspiracies of its enemies," Iran's nuclear program would not be stopped.

How the war developed

Israel has been attacking targets in Iran for days – including nuclear facilities, senior military officials, nuclear scientists, defensive positions, targets in cities, and oil and gas fields. The stated primary goal is to prevent the Islamic Republic from developing nuclear weapons. Iran responded with counterattacks against Israel.

Trump announced on Thursday that he would make a decision on possible US participation in the war within two weeks. He had previously tried to negotiate Iran's abandonment of its controversial nuclear program. Another round of talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, was originally scheduled for last Sunday – but Israel's attacks derailed the plan.

The war between the two arch-enemies is a significant escalation of the already dramatic situation in the Middle East. Israel has been waging war against the Islamists in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Israel also bombed the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

Report: USA used stealth bombers

The Israeli army broadcaster, citing Israeli officials, reported that the US had informed Israel of the plan before the attack. B-2 stealth bombers were used, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported on Platform X, citing a senior Israeli official. These aircraft are the only ones capable of dropping heavy bunker-buster bombs, which experts say are necessary to hit the underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow.

The US military had gradually increased its presence in the Middle East in recent days, gradually deploying additional resources to the region. The US military had previously only supported Israel in its defense, but emphasized that it was not involved in the fighting between Israel and Iran. This has now changed—with unforeseeable consequences.

Israel tightens civil defense rules

Following the US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, Israel has tightened civil defense rules for its own population. With the approval of Defense Minister Israel Katz and after a situation assessment, it was decided that only essential activities would be permitted in all parts of the country, according to a military statement. The public must adhere to Homeland Security instructions./ln/DP/zb