In a nationally televised address on Saturday evening, President Donald Trump described the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as a “remarkable military achievement” and cautioned that additional operations could follow unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal on Washington’s terms.
Speaking from the Cross Hall of the White House, Trump stated that the objective of the operation was to dismantle Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and eliminate what he called the “nuclear threat from the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.” Flanked by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the president declared the mission an overwhelming success.
“Tonight, I can inform the world that Iran’s major nuclear sites have been effectively neutralized,” Trump said, referring to strikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities. According to Trump, those locations were “completely and totally obliterated” in coordinated U.S. attacks.
The announcement came just hours after Trump revealed the offensive via his Truth Social account. The airstrikes, carried out amid rising tensions in the region, mark a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in the conflict between Iran and Israel that has intensified over the past two weeks.
In a follow-up social media post, Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that any form of retaliation would be met with overwhelming force. “This must end,” he wrote. “Either there is peace, or Iran will face consequences far more devastating than anything seen in recent days. Tonight’s strike targeted the hardest site. Others remain in our sights if peace talks fail.”
Trump offered no clear definition of what a “satisfactory” peace agreement with Iran would entail. He reiterated his longstanding position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons or continue uranium enrichment under any circumstances.
Citing reports from Fox News and The New York Times, officials confirmed that six precision “bunker-buster” bombs were deployed against the Fordow site, which lies deep underground in a fortified mountain facility. Defense Secretary Hegseth and Pentagon officials are expected to provide further details on the strikes at a briefing scheduled for Sunday morning.
During his remarks, Trump noted he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the operation, emphasizing close coordination between the two allies. “We acted in unison,” he said. The White House also released images from the Situation Room showing top national security officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, monitoring the mission alongside the president.
The strike follows Trump’s earlier suggestion that the U.S. would give Iran two weeks to pursue diplomatic channels before initiating military action. Despite that statement, the abrupt nature of the operation has stirred debate in Washington over executive war powers.
While Republican leaders largely backed the president’s decision, some lawmakers questioned its legality, citing the lack of congressional authorization. “This is unconstitutional,” posted Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on X. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) echoed the concern, saying, “Even if the decision proves strategically sound, its constitutional basis is highly questionable.”
The White House has not yet responded to inquiries regarding these constitutional concerns.
As global leaders and defense analysts continue to assess the ramifications of this strike, the world watches to see whether Iran will escalate the conflict or move toward a negotiated resolution.