US bombs Iran nuclear sites, Trump warns peace
The U.S. (United States) bombed Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan overnight Saturday to Sunday, Donald Trump announced in a statement from the White House.
The U.S. President described the action as a "very successful attack." The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no increase in radiation levels following the U.S. strikes on the three Iranian nuclear sites, Reuters said.
Donald Trump said on the morning of June 22 that Iran "must now make peace," warning the country that the U.S. could pursue additional targets if it doesn't make peace, international news agencies reported.
According to the U.S. President, the three nuclear sites in central Iran were "completely and totally destroyed." He told Fox News that a total of six GBU-57A/B MOP "bunker-buster" bombs were launched by U.S. Air Force B-2A "Spirit" long-range stealth bombers at the Fordo nuclear facility, while 30 BGM-109 "Tomahawk" Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAMs) were launched from U.S. Navy submarines at the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, condemned the U.S. attack, stating that it represents a violation of international law that will have "eternal consequences."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in turn, thanked Donald Trump for the "bold" attack, calling it a "historic turning point" that could lead the Middle East to peace.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday evening that the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear sites "threatens" world peace and security and called for avoiding "a spiral of chaos," AFP reported, citing Agerpres.
"This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on a knife-edge and a direct threat to peace and security in the world," Guterres said in a statement.
Iranian officials disputed Trump's claim that their nuclear facilities had been "destroyed."
Mohammad Manan Raisi, a parliamentarian from Qom, near Fordo, told the semi-official Fars news agency that the facility wasn't severely damaged, according to The Guardian.
Iranian media quoted Iranian nuclear authorities as saying that there were no signs of contamination after the attacks and that there was no danger to nearby residents. Hassan Abedini, Deputy Political Chief of Iran's state radio and television, said that Iran had evacuated the three sites some time ago.
"Enriched uranium reserves were transferred from the nuclear centers, and there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots," he told the TV channel.
According to Israeli estimates, the U.S. attack on Fordo was successful, and the reactor was destroyed. Regarding Natanz, Israel estimates that the U.S. completed the destruction of the site after Israeli attacks. In Isfahan, the Americans attacked a site dug into a mountain, where enriched material was stored, and according to estimates, very significant damage was also recorded there.
Currently, heightened security measures are being taken in New York and Washington, as well as in Israel.
In a message published on social media, Donald Trump warned Iran not to respond to the U.S. attacks. "Any response from Iran against the United States will be met with a force far greater than what was seen tonight," Donald Trump wrote.
The leader of the Democratic minority in the U.S. Senate, Chuck Schumer, demanded answers from President Donald Trump after he ordered U.S. strikes on Iran.
"President Trump must provide the American people and Congress clear answers regarding the actions taken tonight and their implications for the safety of Americans," Schumer said.
"No president should be allowed to unilaterally launch this nation into something as important as war, with erratic threats and without any strategy. We must implement the War Powers Resolution (the War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a federal law intended to check the U.S. President's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress) and I urge (Senate Majority) Leader (John) Thune to immediately bring it to the Senate floor," Schumer said.
"I'll vote in favor of it, and I implore all senators on both sides of the aisle to vote for it. (...) Confronting Iran's relentless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression requires strength, determination, and strategic clarity. The danger of a broader, longer, and more devastating war has now dramatically increased," Schumer added, according to CNN.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
