On Saturday night, President Trump announced that the U.S. had conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities and engaged U.S. troops in an ongoing conflict initiated by Israel two weeks prior.
During a brief address, Trump indicated that he would persist with military action against Iran if “peace doesn’t come soon.” He stated, “This cannot continue,” flanked by Vice President Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump emphasized, “There’s either peace or Iran has tragedy. It’s much bigger than we’ve seen in the last eight days.” The White House had previously revealed that Trump planned to authorize the strikes within two weeks, yet B-2 bombers were already en route across the Pacific on Saturday afternoon.
In a post on True Social around 8 PM, Trump referred to the operation as a “very successful” strike, claiming that the targeted facilities had been “completely wiped out.”
The main targets were Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites. In his social media post, Trump mentioned that a “full payload of bombs” was dropped on Fordow, a crucial underground facility, along with strikes on Natanz and Isfahan.
Fox News’ Sean Hannity, who communicated with the president, reported that six specialized bunker-buster bombs were unleashed on the Fordow facility, along with 30 Tomahawk missiles aimed at Natanz and Isfahan launched from a submarine positioned a considerable distance away.
Trump announced that Defense Secretary Hegses and Chairman Dan Kane would hold a press briefing about the strikes at 8 AM Sunday. Experts indicated that the powerful bunker-buster, known as the GBU-57, had effectively penetrated Fordow’s mountain setting, likely at the behest of Israel. Prior to the airstrikes, the Department of Defense had moved the B-2 bombers from Missouri to Guam.
Iranian officials acknowledged the bombing but asserted that the targeted facilities had already been evacuated.
Lawmakers Divided on Military Action
Responses from lawmakers revealed a significant divide regarding U.S. involvement in a new conflict in the Middle East. Senator Thomas Massey (R-Ky.) remarked on social media, “This is not constitutional.” Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.) echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the constitutional requirement for Congress to approve such military action.
Massey had proposed legislation that would require parliamentary consent for strikes in Iran. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) described the strike as “severely unconstitutional” during a rally, where attendees called for an end to war.
Conversely, some prominent Republicans and at least one Democrat lauded the attack. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) indicated that the president’s decisive action was necessary to counteract threats from Iran, a sentiment echoed by Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who commended Trump for addressing the existential threat posed by the Iranian government.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Penn.) also supported the military action, stating that Iran’s status as a terrorist sponsor precluded them from obtaining nuclear capabilities.
U.S. Military Vulnerability
The United States maintains around 40,000 military personnel throughout the Middle East, operating from bases across several countries, which leaves them at risk for potential Iranian reprisals. In the days leading up to the U.S. strikes, Iran’s supreme leader had warned of “irreparable damage” due to U.S. military involvement alongside Israel.
Following the airstrikes, Iranian state television asserted that Trump “started it, and we’ll finish it,” hinting at broader conflicts between Tehran and Washington. Reports indicate that Iran is capable of launching retaliatory strikes within hours, with the potential for rapid missile deployment.
Concerns over U.S. military safety resurfaced, recalling previous attacks on U.S. forces, including a notable incident after the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Strikes Arrive Ahead of Timeline
The strikes occurred swiftly, within 48 hours of Trump’s declaration that he would decide on military action within two weeks. Trump had stated that ongoing negotiations with Iran could influence his decision-making timeline. While discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials were reportedly underway, skepticism from Trump about reaching an agreement has grown.
In a show of regional diplomatic activity, ambassadors from several Middle Eastern countries recently met to discuss concerns over the U.S. military actions.
Potential Outcomes
It may take several days for both the U.S. and Israel, along with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to evaluate the effects of the airstrikes.
There’s ongoing debate regarding how much damage could hinder Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with U.S. intelligence suggesting that it might take over a year for Iran to develop a functional nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Israeli officials hint at regime change in Iran as a potential objective, considering lethal actions against key Iranian leaders.
Post-strike commentary from Iranian media reiterated that the responsibility rested with Trump, insisting, “you started it, and we’ll finish it.” Meanwhile, both Russia and China condemned the U.S. military action, though Russia’s involvement remains skeptical.
