Iran Israel war HIGHLIGHTS: 'Middle East Bully Iran Should Make Peace', Donald Trump on US bombing Iran's nuclear sites

As the war between Iran and Israel continues, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that the United States has launched an attack on three Nuclear sites in Iran. The development comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. With this, the US seems to have finally entered the war with Iran in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the region.

According to a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the US had "successfully" hit three of Iran's key nuclear facilities--Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan--with a "full payload of BOMBS" being dropped on Fordow as the primary target.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. 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," Trump stated.

"Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he added.

The underground site at Fordow and the larger Natanz plant were Iran's two primary uranium enrichment facilities, out of which Natanz had already been hit by Israel with smaller weapons earlier in the week, the New York Times reported. Earlier in the day, several US B-2 stealth bombers took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night (local time) and were seen heading West, CNN reported, citing flight tracking data.

As of Saturday, the aircraft were flying over the Pacific Ocean and appeared to be en route to Guam, as reported by CNN. According to CNN, the B-2 bombers are uniquely equipped to carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- a 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bomb believed to be the only weapon capable of targeting Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site. Each B-2 can carry two of these powerful bombs.

This strategic redeployment follows a week in which Trump has spent considerable time in the White House Situation Room reviewing military plans and asking advisors about potential outcomes.
He has stated that a decision on military action could come sooner than the two-week window he previously mentioned, CNN reported.

As per the NYT, the strikes on these facilities represent the first time since Iran's 1979 revolution that the US Air Force has launched attacks on key sites within the country--an act considered an act of war. With this move, Trump has directly involved the US military in an open conflict with Iran, a step that successive American presidents, starting with Jimmy Carter, had deliberately avoided.

The third site, located near the historic city of Isfahan, is believed to store Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium.

The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US now joining in support of Israel. The conflict started after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion."

In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.

 (This story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)

Here are the LATEST Updates:

US deploys B-2 stealth bombers amid Trump's deliberations on military options for Iran

Several US B-2 stealth bombers took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night (local time) and were seen heading West, CNN reported, citing flight tracking data. The movement comes as US President Donald Trump considers military options on Iran amid the ongoing conflict, including the possibility of launching an airstrike.

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Since the start of Israel's military operations against Iran on June 13, more than 450 missiles and over 400 drones have been launched toward Israeli territory, according to figures released Saturday night by the Government Press Office. Iran's attacks have killed 24 people and injured 1,272 others, including 14 in serious condition. The Israel Tax Authority has received 30,735 damage claims, with most--25,040--related to buildings, followed by 2,623 for vehicles and 3,006 for other property.

'Completely and totally obliterated', says Donald Trump after bombing Iran's nuclear sites

US President Donald Trump said that the country has carried out a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear facilities- Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Trump's announcement comes just two days after saying he had opened a two-week window for diplomacy. "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," Trump said in remarks from the White House. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," he said.

'Hope it will lead to a better future for Middle East': Israeli President thanks US after 'precision' strikes in Iran

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, thanked US President Donald Trump for the "brave step" taken by the United States of America in conducting strikes on three nuclear sites of Iran. Herzog said that the strikes show how the principles of 'liberty, responsibility and security' have triumphed, with the American action resulting as a brave step towards the security and safety of the world.

Iran's Atomic Energy body confirms attacks on nuke sites, says it won't halt development of the 'national industry'

Following attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has stated that the attacks are a violation of international law and that Iran's nuclear industry will continue its development. The Embassy of Iran in India shared a statement issued by AEOI confirmed that early on Sunday morning, Iran's nuclear sites were "subjected to savage aggression--an act in violation of international laws, particularly the NPT."

Netanyahu congratulates Donald Trump, says 'bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities will change history'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday congratulated US President Donald Trump for the 'precision strikes' which were carried out at Iran's three nuclear facilities by the United States. In a video message, Netanyahu said, "Congratulations President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history. In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things. But in tonight's action against Iran's nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on Earth could do."

Israel carries out fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran launches ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) on Sunday launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting military sites in western Iran, shortly after Iranian missile attacks injured civilians in Israel. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, "The IAF has begun a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran. Additionally, this morning, the IAF struck missile launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory, soldiers in the Iranian Armed Forces, and swiftly neutralised the launchers that launched missiles toward Israeli territory a short while ago." According to Israel's state news agency TPS, missile impacts were reported in several parts of the country, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and central Israel. Air raid alarms were heard again in northern regions, and residents were told to stay inside bomb shelters after another wave of missiles was detected.