In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, President Donald Trump authorized U.S. military strikes on three of Iran’s major nuclear facilities early Sunday, aligning Washington directly with Israel in its ongoing conflict with Tehran. The move triggered both praise and fierce criticism, with concerns mounting over the prospect of a wider regional war.
Targeted in the early morning strikes were Iran’s uranium enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—facilities that have long been viewed by Western intelligence as central to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump, speaking in a televised four-minute address from the White House, declared the operation a “spectacular military success,” claiming the sites had been “completely and totally obliterated.”
Flanked by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump warned that Iran now faced a stark choice: “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than what we have witnessed over the last eight days.”
A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously, detailed the assault: six B-2 stealth bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on the heavily fortified Fordow facility, while U.S. submarines launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan complexes.
Trump’s decision to intervene came after a June 9 phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With Israeli strikes already in progress and Iran promising retaliation, the president shifted from earlier reluctance to direct military involvement. “We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” Trump said, praising Netanyahu.
Reactions in Washington were swift and divided. Republican leaders largely supported the move, calling it a decisive stand against a hostile regime. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, both briefed in advance, applauded the action as a necessary deterrent against Iranian nuclear development.
“President Trump has drawn a line—and he’s enforced it with precision,” Johnson said.
Democrats, however, responded with outrage. Many lawmakers said they were blindsided by the strike and accused Trump of circumventing Congress.
“This is an unauthorized act of war,” said Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for immediate legislation requiring congressional approval for military action against Iran.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused the president of misleading the American public and “plunging the nation into a dangerous conflict without consent.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went further, calling for Trump’s impeachment over what she described as a reckless and unconstitutional use of military power.
Iran has yet to issue an official response, but prior warnings from Tehran suggested any direct U.S. involvement in Israel’s campaign would trigger retaliation.
The international community now watches with unease as tensions reach a critical juncture—with diplomacy appearing ever more distant.
