Trump Updates Netanyahu on U.S. Airstrike Against Iran
Context of the Airstrike
In a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, former President Donald Trump confirmed an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities just hours before informing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. officials had suggested that there was a high likelihood of Trump joining military efforts, while simultaneously preparing to address the situation in Fordow, should he change his mind.
According to a senior U.S. official who spoke to Reuters, the airstrike involved B-2 bombers targeting Iran’s nuclear sites. Fox News reported that the strike at the Fordow facility involved six bunker-busting bombs, supplemented by 30 Tomahawk missiles aimed at other nuclear facilities.
Details of the Announcement
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to proclaim the completion of the U.S. attack on sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In his post, he stated, “A full load of bombs was dropped on Fordow. Now is the time for peace!” He later reaffirmed this sentiment with a follow-up tweet: “Fordow is no more.” He described the airstrike as “very successful,” asserting that all U.S. aircraft were safely out of Iranian airspace. He credited the U.S. military’s capabilities, stating, “No other military in the world could have dstart this. Now it’s time for peace!”
The White House’s official social media account also shared Trump’s remarks, with plans for an upcoming statement regarding the operation, marking it as a “historic moment for the U.S., Israel, and the world.” An announcement underscored that Iran must agree to end what was termed as “this war.”
Changes in Israeli Defense Protocols
Following the U.S. airstrike announcement, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced immediate changes to national defense policies. With the endorsement of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, authorities decided to shift the entire country to a heightened state of emergency. As of 3:45 AM, the new guidelines mandated a halt on educational activities, gatherings, and non-essential workplace operations across the nation.
Diplomatic Reactions and Future Plans
Days prior to the airstrike, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested that there might be significant diplomatic negotiations with Iran in the near future, underlining that a decision on military involvement would be made in the following weeks. Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicated that Trump had previously authorized “strike plans” against Iran but preferred to wait for a potential decision by Iran to abandon its nuclear program.
Intelligence sources cited by ABC described Trump’s increasing comfort with the prospect of targeting the Fordow enrichment facility and indicated that more than start strike could be forthcoming. Bloomberg later reported that preparations for a possible strike were set to continue, with American officials on alert for further developments.
This military action against Iran’s nuclear capabilities has sparked discussions around U.S. foreign policy and increasing tensions in the region, with the implications of the airstrike yet to be fully assessed