As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its second week, US President Donald Trump now says that the Washington has struck three nuclear sites of the Islamic Republic, directly joining Tel Aviv’s effort to target nuclear infrastructure, which began last week.
Here are the top updates from the Israel-Iran conflict —
US President Trump to shortly brief regarding the military operation. In a post on his Truth Social handle, he wrote, “I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”
In a previous post, he informed that the US successfully struck three nuclear facilities of Iran, including Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. The direct involvement of the US comes days after Trump kept the world guessing whether Washington will directly engage in the conflict or not.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump said in a post on social media. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” Trump stated on his Truth Social handle.
B2 bombers or stealth bombers were used by the US to target three nuclear sites of Iran, according to multiple reports. However, neither the White House nor Trump specified what type of B-2 bombers were used.
‘More devastating’ retaliation, says Iran
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned on Saturday about a “more devastating” response if Israel continues with its nine-day bombing campaign, affirming that the Islamic Republic will not stop its nuclear programme “under any circumstances. “
Pezeshkian also stated that Tehran may “provide guarantees” and “build trust” regarding its nuclear activities, state news agency IRNA reported, following a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
2 Quds Force officials killed
Israel announced that two commanders from Iran’s Quds Force were killed in overnight strikes. The Israeli military stated that it has “eliminated” Behnam Shahriyari, who was allegedly in charge of transferring weapons from Iran to its proxies throughout the Middle East, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported. Saeed Izaadi was also killed, who “had strong ties with Hamas’ military wing,” IDF said.
Turkey ready to negotiate
On Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey expressed his willingness to facilitate a resolution to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, as stated by his office.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei names successors
The Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named three senior leaders as possible successors in case he is killed, The New York Times reports, citing three Iranian officials aware of the development.