TEL AVIV — U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing direct military action against Iran after Israeli jets struck key nuclear and weapons sites in Tehran overnight, marking the sixth straight day of escalating hostilities.
The Israeli military confirmed it targeted a centrifuge production site in Tehran and multiple weapons facilities used for assembling surface-to-surface missiles. The strikes involved more than 50 aircraft, including advanced fighter jets capable of precision targeting in urban and fortified areas.
Satellite imagery from MAXAR shows visible damage at one of the industrial sites near Tehran, where uranium enrichment components are believed to have been manufactured.
Explosions were heard in and around the Iranian capital early Tuesday morning. Iran responded by firing a Fattah-1 hypersonic missile toward Tel Aviv. No casualties were reported. Air raid sirens sounded twice overnight in central Israel.
“The airstrikes are part of a continued effort to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons development,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a public statement.
Tehran has vowed to retaliate. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted on social media that Iran “will never compromise with Zionists” and declared, “The battle begins.”
Trump, using his Truth Social platform, warned Iran with a series of sharply worded posts.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there we are not going to take him out , at least not for now,” Trump wrote. He ended one post with a bold statement: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
According to U.S. intelligence sources cited by CBS News, Trump met with his national security team on Tuesday for nearly 90 minutes. A key point of discussion was whether the U.S. should strike Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear facility a fortified site deep beneath a mountain. Only the U.S. military possesses the 30,000-pound bomb capable of destroying such a target.
At least 30 U.S. aerial refueling tankers have reportedly been flown into Europe over the past 72 hours, suggesting possible preparation for extended long-range sorties.
Analysts say U.S. involvement would dramatically change the scale and scope of the conflict. While some in Trump’s circle urge restraint, others argue that failure to act could encourage Tehran to accelerate its nuclear weapons efforts.
Back in Israel, Operation “Safe Return” has begun repatriating citizens stranded abroad due to closed airspace. The first flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday. The Israeli Ministry of Transportation confirmed that more evacuation flights are underway.
Meanwhile, European governments remain divided. France has warned against any push for regime change in Iran, while German officials have reportedly expressed quiet approval of Israel’s actions, viewing them as a necessary step in countering Tehran’s growing aggression.
As airstrikes continue and the rhetoric intensifies, the risk of a broader regional war looms.
“We support de-escalation, but Israel has a right to defend itself,” an unnamed European diplomat stated after a closed G7 session late Tuesday.
Israeli officials maintain that the latest attacks are meant to cripple Iran’s ability to continue enriching uranium for military purposes. Centrifuge machines, crucial to that process, are delicate systems that can be rendered inoperable with targeted strikes.
Earlier this week, the head of the global nuclear watchdog told reporters that Iran’s Natanz facility also struck by Israeli missiles had likely suffered “severe damage, if not complete destruction.”
With both sides showing no sign of backing down, the next move may rest in Washington’s hands. For now, the world watches and waits.
