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In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the United States has officially entered into direct military conflict with Iran. In the early hours of Sunday, American stealth bombers struck three of Iran’s major nuclear enrichment sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a sharp turn in U.S. involvement after days of Israeli appeals for coordinated military action.
President Donald Trump, addressing the nation from the White House, confirmed the aerial strikes, describing them as a necessary response to what he called “Iran’s continued provocation and nuclear ambitions.” He warned of more powerful attacks if Tehran fails to back down.
“Iran must now make peace,” Trump declared. “If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and far easier. There will either be peace—or tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.”
Trump claimed on social media that the strikes had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities. U.S. and Israeli officials noted that the use of stealth bombers and 13,600-kg bunker-buster bombs was aimed at destroying Iran’s deeply buried and fortified nuclear infrastructure, especially at Fordow.
Iran Vows Retaliation
In a swift and defiant response, Iran warned of imminent counterstrikes and declared all U.S. military and civilian personnel in the region as “legitimate targets.”
“It is now our turn to act without delay,” Iran’s state broadcaster said. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier cautioned that any U.S. attack would bring “irreparable damage” to American interests.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, labelled the U.S. intervention “a recipe for an all-out war in the region.” A senior advisor to the Iranian Parliament Speaker dismissed the effectiveness of the strikes, stating Fordow had long been evacuated. “Two things are certain: Knowledge can’t be bombed. And the Gambler will lose this time,” he said, referring to Trump.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization accused the U.S. and Israel of violating international law, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and blamed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of complicity for failing to prevent the attacks.
A Dangerous New Phase
The U.S. intervention follows more than a week of sustained Israeli airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran’s air defence and missile capabilities. While those strikes were previously unilateral, Washington’s direct participation represents a watershed moment—and a significant risk.
“The U.S. has officially entered the war on behalf of Israel by bombing three major nuclear sites,” said Anil Trigunayat, former Indian Ambassador to Jordan and Libya. Speaking to BharatShakti, he warned, “Unless this is a prefixed match, we are looking at major escalation. If Iran retaliates as promised, we will likely witness a joint U.S.-Israel military response followed by a push for regime change. Bad times ahead.”
The stakes are particularly high for Trump, who campaigned on promises of avoiding entanglements in foreign wars and frequently criticized American interventionism. Yet his decision to greenlight the strikes could now plunge the region into a prolonged and unpredictable conflict.
Team BharatShakti
