The United States has announced that its overnight airstrikes have severely damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a major escalation in an already tense standoff between Washington and Tehran.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation “devastated the Iranian nuclear programme,” emphasising that the strikes were not aimed at regime change.
“President Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth told reporters during a Pentagon briefing.
The coordinated strikes targeted three critical nuclear sites using 75 precision-guided munitions, including 14 “Massive Ordnance Penetrators,” also known as bunker busters. General Dan Caine confirmed that the US military deployed bombers over the Pacific as a diversion tactic and reported no American aircraft were fired upon during the operation.
Satellite imagery analysed by BBC Verify reveals six fresh craters at the Fordo nuclear facility, one of the locations hit in the assault.
In a televised address earlier, President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, urging the country to “make peace” or face “far greater” attacks in the future.
Iran, in response, condemned the strikes and warned of “everlasting consequences.” Iranian officials accused Trump of “betrayal” and vowed retaliation.
Meanwhile, hostilities between Iran and Israel continue to intensify. Cross-border attacks have persisted for over a week, with both sides exchanging fire following Israel’s initial strikes on Iranian positions.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the potential for wider conflict in the region as diplomatic efforts appear to stall. (BBC News)
