By Michael R. Gordon and Drew Dowell
The U.S. joined Israel's attacks against Iran's nuclear program, putting more pressure on the country's battered regime and risking further escalation of the conflict.
President Trump said on social media the U.S. attacked three of Iran's nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan--hardened targets where analysts have said special U.S. munitions have the best chance of success.
"We have completed our very successful attacks," Trump said in his post. "All planes are now outside of Iran air space."
Earlier today, U.S. officials said multiple B-2 stealth bombers had left their base in Missouri and were heading west over the Pacific. The bombers can carry giant "bunker busting" bombs specifically designed to take out sites like Iran's hardened nuclear facilities at Fordow, an enrichment site that is built inside a mountain.
Trump followed up his announcement of the strikes with a call for a return to diplomacy.
"NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!," he wrote.
While the U.S. strikes appeared to be limited, America's intervention threatens to widen a conflict being fought in the middle of some of the world's most important energy facilities. Iran has threatened to strike at American troops around the region in the event the U.S. got involved in the conflict, and the oil and gas rich Gulf states that host U.S. bases are concerned the violence could spread to their territories.
On Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country wouldn't surrender and warned any U.S. military intervention would bring irreparable consequences.
Now a week into its campaign against Iran's nuclear program and military leadership, Israel has largely cleared the way for the U.S., wiping out many of the country's air defenses with intelligence operations and hundreds of airstrikes.
Trump pushed for a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program for much of the year, but turned more bellicose as the success of Israel's early strikes became evident. The president has recently called for Iran's unconditional surrender and has approved of attack plans.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio in recent days told European allies that Trump's preferred course was to dismantle Iran's nuclear program via a diplomatic agreement. But a meeting between Iran's foreign minister and European leaders Friday produced no breakthrough.
The White House said Thursday that Trump would decide "within two weeks," which suggested military action wasn't imminent. Iran has said it felt it was tricked when Israel's original attack last week came just days before the U.S. and Iran were to meet for another round of talks.
The U.S. military has already moved forces to Europe and the Middle East, including tanker planes to refuel aircraft in flight, warships capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, a second aircraft-carrier battle group and advanced F-22 air-to-air fighters.
This item is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event. The full stream can be found by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 21, 2025 20:27 ET (00:27 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Comments