NEW DELHI: In a dramatic escalation late Saturday, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States had carried out precision airstrikes on three of Iran’s most closely guarded atomic installations: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The facilities, nestled deep within Iran’s terrain, serve as vital hubs in the country’s uranium development program, with Fordow and Natanz considered central to Iran’s enrichment efforts.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, President Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran: further military action will follow unless stability is restored. “Iran must now choose, reconciliation or devastation,” he warned, while noting the decision to proceed had been coordinated “in full alignment” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iran’s senior diplomat Abbas Araghchi delivered a swift rebuke, labeling the assault on its nuclear infrastructure a “blatant breach” of the United Nations Charter and foundational global agreements, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Araghchi cautioned that the fallout from the attack would be long-lasting, insisting that Iran retains “every lawful avenue” to protect its territorial integrity, national interest, and population under international statutes.
President Trump confirmed the use of America’s stealth B-2 bombers for the mission, a platform known for its ability to evade detection. These aircraft deployed the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound non-nuclear munition engineered to pierce hardened subterranean bunkers. The bomb, often referred to as a “bunker buster,” can bore through nearly 200 feet of fortified earth or rock, with repeated strikes capable of tunneling deeper to destroy even the most fortified compounds. This marked the first instance of the GBU-57’s use in active warfare by the U.S. Air Force.
Prior to authorizing the operation, Trump informed key Republican lawmakers, excluding Democratic leaders from the high-level military planning. The White House has not explained the decision to limit the briefing to one political faction.
Meanwhile, NATO leadership has indicated it is closely tracking developments in the region amid fears of broader instability. In a separate response to potential domestic threats, police departments in New York City and Washington, DC announced a bolstered presence around houses of worship and other public venues as a precautionary measure following the US offensive.
