The White House has released a series of photos showing President Donald Trump inside the Situation Room just before the U.S. launched coordinated airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities. This marks a significant escalation in American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.<\/p>\n
In the images, Trump\u2014wearing a red \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d hat\u2014is seen sitting beside Vice President J.D. Vance as he monitors the military operation. Trump later hailed the strike as a \u201cspectacular military success.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIran\u2019s major nuclear enrichment sites have been utterly destroyed,\u201d Trump posted on Truth Social. \u201cIran, long a menace in the Middle East, now has a choice: make peace, or face even stronger and simpler future attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. officials confirmed that the targets were Iran\u2019s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan facilities\u2014central to the country\u2019s nuclear development. Aircraft carrying out the mission reportedly launched from American bases over 3,000 miles away and dropped what Trump called a \u201cfull payload of BOMBS\u201d on Fordow, according to the BBC.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll planes are now safely out of Iranian airspace and returning home,\u201d Trump stated, praising the American military. \u201cCongratulations to our great American Warriors\u2026 NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE.\u201d<\/p>\n
The attack came after a week of rising tensions. On June 13, Israel carried out a major strike against Iranian military assets, killing over 20 senior commanders. Iran issued warnings, including direct threats toward the U.S. if it became involved militarily.<\/p>\n
Last week, Trump issued a pointed message to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further straining diplomatic ties.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know exactly where the so-called \u2018Supreme Leader\u2019 is hiding,\u201d Trump said via CNN. \u201cHe\u2019s an easy target, but we\u2019re not going to eliminate him\u2014for now\u2026 Our patience is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the U.S. strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi denounced the action, calling it a blatant violation of international law.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a permanent UN Security Council member, the United States has seriously breached the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by striking peaceful Iranian nuclear facilities,\u201d Araghchi posted on X. \u201cThese actions will have lasting consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits self-defense following an armed attack, Iran hinted at the possibility of retaliation and urged other nations to take note of the precedent being set.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll UN members should be deeply concerned about this dangerous and unlawful behavior,\u201d Araghchi added.<\/p>\n