The White House has released a series of photos showing President Donald Trump inside the Situation Room just before the U.S. launched coordinated airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities. This marks a significant escalation in American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
In the images, Trump—wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat—is seen sitting beside Vice President J.D. Vance as he monitors the military operation. Trump later hailed the strike as a “spectacular military success.”
“Iran’s major nuclear enrichment sites have been utterly destroyed,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Iran, long a menace in the Middle East, now has a choice: make peace, or face even stronger and simpler future attacks.”
U.S. officials confirmed that the targets were Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan facilities—central to the country’s nuclear development. Aircraft carrying out the mission reportedly launched from American bases over 3,000 miles away and dropped what Trump called a “full payload of BOMBS” on Fordow, according to the BBC.
“All planes are now safely out of Iranian airspace and returning home,” Trump stated, praising the American military. “Congratulations to our great American Warriors… NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE.”
The attack came after a week of rising tensions. On June 13, Israel carried out a major strike against Iranian military assets, killing over 20 senior commanders. Iran issued warnings, including direct threats toward the U.S. if it became involved militarily.
Last week, Trump issued a pointed message to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further straining diplomatic ties.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump said via CNN. “He’s an easy target, but we’re not going to eliminate him—for now… Our patience is running out.”
Following the U.S. strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi denounced the action, calling it a blatant violation of international law.
“As a permanent UN Security Council member, the United States has seriously breached the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by striking peaceful Iranian nuclear facilities,” Araghchi posted on X. “These actions will have lasting consequences.”
Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits self-defense following an armed attack, Iran hinted at the possibility of retaliation and urged other nations to take note of the precedent being set.
“All UN members should be deeply concerned about this dangerous and unlawful behavior,” Araghchi added.
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Araghchi also announced that he would be traveling to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin the next day.
Speaking on Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump was “completely dedicated to peace” and had given Iran “every opportunity” to de-escalate.
“But there came a point when he realized decisive action was needed to protect American lives and interests,” Hegseth said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has called an emergency meeting for Monday to evaluate the situation. Analysts are warning that this escalation could trigger broader instability throughout the Middle East.
