WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday night announced that the United States, in coordination with Israel, carried out a major military operation destroying three of Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities, declaring it a “spectacular military success” and a decisive move to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime.
In a nationally televised address, Trump confirmed that U.S. forces struck the nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, long suspected to be central to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“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. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
The strikes marked one of the most aggressive U.S. actions in the Middle East in decades and immediately drew praise from some allies and criticism from international leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauded the strikes, calling them a bold and necessary measure. “Peace through strength,” Netanyahu posted on X. “First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.” He added that “history will record that Trump acted to stop the world’s most dangerous regime from getting the most dangerous weapon.”
Trump credited the Israeli military and Netanyahu for working “as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before” and said the mission significantly reduces the threat to Israel and the region.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley echoed support, posting on X simply, “Well done.” However, not all Republicans supported this action. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump’s most visible and vocal supporters, stated that every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another war and that this is not our fight.
Reaction from the international community was sharply divided.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over what he called a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge.” In a statement, Guterres warned the use of force posed “a direct threat to international peace and security” and said the conflict risked spiraling out of control. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed the strikes, stating that the nuclear sites had been attacked by “enemy forces” in what it called a “violation of international law.” Among Iranian proxies, The Houthis, stated that they will retaliate, and Iranian state tv said that US citizens and military personnel in the region are all targets.
On Capitol Hill, Democrats quickly demanded answers from the White House. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the president for failing to consult Congress before launching the attack.
“Trump must explain this military action and inform Congress immediately,” Jeffries said in a statement. “The president bears full responsibility for the consequences.”
Despite the backlash, Trump signaled readiness for further action if Iran does not shift course. “If they do not [choose peace], future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier,” he said. “There are many targets left. Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all.”
He praised U.S. troops and military leaders, including General Dan “Raisin” Kane, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, calling the operation “the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades.”
“There is no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight — not even close,” Trump said.
“God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel. And God bless America,” the president concluded.
A Pentagon press conference is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, June 22, where more operational details are expected.
