US AT WAR

THE USA joined Israel’s war against Iran with strikes on three of the Middle Eastern nation’s nuclear reactor sites early on Sunday morning. 

The surprise bombing of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – all south of the capital Tehran – come after US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he would make a decision on military action “within two weeks”.

The attack comes as the US and Israel have accused Iran of developing nukes and just a day after Russian president Vladimir Putin was quoted by Sky News Arabia as saying: “Russia, as well as the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), has never had any evidence that Iran is preparing to obtain nuclear weapons, as we have repeatedly put the Israeli leadership on notice.”

Trump said US air strikes “totally obliterated” targets and quickly warned that the US would go after more targets if Iran did not surrender.

He said: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace.”

Despite the “bunker buster” bombings, nuclear experts from Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Nations said there’s been no radioactive spikes in the region.

Not long after, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and explosions were heard from Jerusalem as Iran launched missiles in retaliation.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as “outrageous” and said his country has a right to defend its sovereignty.

“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,” he posted on X, adding that the attacks were “lawless and criminal” behaviour.

Negotiators from Iran and the US were set to meet last weekend over the former’s nuclear civilian programme until Israel’s stunning attack on Tehran last Friday.

World leaders called for a ceasefire as Iran and Israel traded fire. 

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for a return to negotiations, and posted on X: “I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.”

He added that EU foreign ministers will talk on Monday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge”.

He said: “At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”

Saudi Arabia expressed “great concern” after the US air strikes on nuclear facilities of its neighbour, Iran.

The Saudi foreign ministry posted on X: “The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint...”