The United States launched overnight airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities in Iran Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes early Saturday morning, stating they targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to “send a clear warning” to Tehran.
The Fordo site, located in a fortified mountainside, is a central part of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Alongside it, Natanz and Isfahan have been instrumental in Iran’s nuclear development. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later reported “no increase” in off-site radiation levels, suggesting the strikes, while targeted, may not have caused a nuclear fallout.
Israeli officials claimed full coordination with the US in planning the strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump’s “strength and decisiveness,” reiterating Israel’s long-standing concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. By 8:47 AM Kenyan Time, the Israeli military confirmed a fresh wave of airstrikes in western Iran, targeting what it termed “military infrastructure.”
The Iranian government confirmed the attacks at 3:56 AM and responded hours later with its own strike, according to Israeli sources. Details about casualties and structural damage remain unclear, but the move has drawn sharp international concern.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the US strikes as a “dangerous escalation,” urging restraint from all parties. Addressing the nation at 5:00 AM, President Trump defended the decision, warning that Iran must “make peace” or risk facing “far greater” consequences.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be in play behind the scenes. According to CBS News, the US reached out to Iran prior to the attacks, stating that regime change was not the goal of the operation.
As the region braces for potential retaliation and wider fallout, global leaders are calling for immediate de-escalation to avoid plunging the Middle East into a broader conflict. The strikes mark one of the most serious military confrontations between the US and Iran in recent history, with implications that could reverberate far beyond the region.
