U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear sites sparks fears of wider conflict
WASHINGTON/June 22 (Xinhua) U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States has completed attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran, namely Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.
Trump’s decision to intervene directly in support of Israel’s attempt to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program marks a major escalation in the Middle East and sparks fears of wider conflict in the region.
Addressing the nation Saturday evening, Trump said that Iran’s key nuclear facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated,” and that future attacks would be “far greater and a lot easier.”
“If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called it a “bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization confirmed early Sunday that Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were attacked again, adding that the country would not halt the development of its nuclear industry despite the attacks.
“Iran will never allow the development of its nuclear industry to be hindered,” the agency said in a statement, adding that “necessary measures, including legal procedures, are on the agenda to defend the country’s rights.”
Iran said the attacks didn’t harm its nuclear efforts because the sites had been evacuated “a while ago” and the materials had previously been removed, said Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran’s state broadcaster.
The Iranian state media reported that there were “no signs of contamination” at the nuclear sites at Esfahan, Fordow and Natanz after U.S. airstrikes, quoting a statement from the country’s National Nuclear Safety System Center.
“There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites,” the statement said.
The Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission has confirmed that no radioactive traces have been detected in the environment of the country or other Arab Gulf states following the U.S. military strikes.
In a post on its official X account, the Saudi nuclear body said that continuous monitoring has shown no signs of radiological impact on the region’s environment.
On Sunday, Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks on Israel, injuring 26 people and causing heavy damage to residential buildings, roads and vehicles, according to Israel’s national emergency service Magen David Adom.
Israel closed its airspace in an apparent precautionary measure following the U.S. strikes, the Israel Airports Authority announced earlier. Xinuha
