Have We Made Significant Progress in Erasing the Threat to Israel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration: The U.S. and Israel have showcased unprecedented teamwork against a common threat.
- Military Action: U.S. strikes target key Iranian nuclear sites to curb the nuclear threat.
- Potential for Peace: Trump emphasizes the need for peace as an alternative to ongoing conflict.
- Global Implications: The actions could reshape U.S. foreign policy and regional dynamics.
- Continued Vigilance: The U.S. remains prepared to respond to further Iranian provocations.
Washington, June 22 (NationPress) Following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump expressed his appreciation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military, emphasizing their collaboration as unprecedented. During a media briefing shortly after the military actions on Saturday (US time), Trump conveyed his thanks to Netanyahu, affectionately referring to him as 'Bibi.' He remarked, "I want to express my gratitude and congratulations to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. Our teamwork has been exceptional, achieving significant progress in eliminating this grave threat to Israel. I also commend the Israeli military for their outstanding efforts."
Trump disclosed that the US had targeted three nuclear sites in Iran, cautioning Tehran against any further aggression towards Israel. The specific locations reportedly included the highly secured Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities.
"This situation cannot persist. It will either lead to peace or result in a tragedy for Iran, far worse than what we have experienced in the last eight days. Numerous targets remain," Trump stated.
"Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight's operation was the most challenging, by far, and potentially the most lethal. If peace is not swiftly achieved, we will pursue those remaining targets with precision, speed, and expertise," he added.
The President affirmed that the strikes were intended to incapacitate Iran's "nuclear enrichment capabilities" and to curb the nuclear threat posed by the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.
Netanyahu also acknowledged Trump's actions on social media, stating, "President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength.' Strength comes first, followed by peace. Tonight, Donald Trump and the United States demonstrated remarkable strength."
Despite extensive diplomatic efforts to renegotiate a nuclear deal with Tehran—following the US exit from the 2015 agreement in 2018—Trump has fully backed Israel's military actions against Iran's nuclear infrastructure and high-ranking military officials, which commenced just over a week ago.
The air conflict between the two countries escalated on June 13 when Israel executed a surprise attack on Iran. Israeli officials asserted that the offensive was a preemptive action to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Iran has consistently denied.
This ongoing conflict has heightened tensions in a region already strained by Israel's extended military operations in Gaza since October 2023.
The latest developments have now officially engaged the United States in a direct military role.
Earlier, Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the strikes represented a "historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world… Iran must now agree to end this war. Thank you!"
In another post, he praised American forces, asserting, "There is no other military globally that could have achieved this. Now is the moment for peace! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Iranian state media confirmed that parts of the Fordow nuclear facility were struck, referring to the incidents as "enemy attacks," but further details regarding the damage remain scarce.