Latest news with #OperationMidnight
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Trump claims he saved Ayatollah from ‘ugly death' by ordering Israeli jets to turn around midair and call off attack
'I SAVED HIM' Trump claims he saved Ayatollah from 'ugly death' by ordering Israeli jets to turn around midair and call off attack DONALD Trump has claimed that he saved Iran's Supreme Leader from an "ugly death" by ordering Israeli jets to turn around mid-air during an attack. The President slammed the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he claimed Iran had won the war - following Trump's Operation Midnight hammer attack. Advertisement 1 Trump claims he saved the Ayatollah from death Credit: AP In the post, Trump raged: "Why would the so-called 'Supreme Leader,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie, it is not so." More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Explosive unanswered question after US bombs Iran nuclear bunkers in Israel war
Donald Trump claimed the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran during "Operation Midnight" on Sunday - but one mystery still remains An expert has warned the US still has unanswered questions over how many of Iran's nuclear bunkers have been " obliterated." Donald Trump claimed the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran during "Operation Midnight" on Sunday. Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan were targeted by 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers. However, a US intelligence report suggested that Iran's nuclear program has been set back only a few months after US strikes and was not 'completely and fully obliterated' as President Trump has said. The report issued by the Defence Intelligence Agency on Monday contradicts statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran's nuclear facilities. The report found that while the Sunday strikes at the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites did significant damage, the facilities were not totally destroyed. The assessment also suggested that at least some of Iran's highly enriched uranium, necessary for creating a nuclear weapon, was moved out of multiple sites before the US strikes and survived. Buried under a huge mountain at Fordo, southwest of Tehran, is a nuclear facility where Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, which is only a short step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. At the deeply buried Fordo uranium enrichment plant, where U.S. B-2 stealth bombers dropped several 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, the entrance collapsed and infrastructure was damaged, but the underground infrastructure was not destroyed, the assessment found. Intelligence officials had warned of such an outcome in previous assessments ahead of the strike on Fordo. The White House hit back at the assessment, calling it 'flat-out wrong.' 'The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear program,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. 'Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.' Anthony Glees, an academic in security and defence and a lecturer at the University of Buckingham, admitted there remain several unanswered questions over how much of Iran's nuclear capability has been "obliterated." He told The Mirror: "We don't even know for sure how much of Iran's nuclear capability has been 'obliterated' by Trump's 'bullseye' B-2 attacks and we don't know what they've done with the 400 KG plus of 60% enriched Uranium they've spirited away. That's enough for a Hiroshima-type bomb. "Trump says things and thinks saying them makes them true. It ain't necessarily so. He blinked first. "I've always said I believe Trump genuinely wants peace, he's a peacenik. He didn't want the Israelis to attack Iran but they pushed him into it. We know his MAGA base are utterly opposed to foreign wars. "Under the ayatollahs, Iran is an odious Islamist terrorist state, no question about that. It has trained and funded Hezbollah, the Houthis and worst of all Hamas. As long as they rule in Teheran they remain a terror threat." It comes as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to hold on Tuesday, just hours after Trump unleashed into expletives. He expressed frustration with both sides, saying they had fought 'for so long and so hard' that "they don't know what the f*** they are doing". The ceasefire took hold on Tuesday, the 12th day of the war between Israel and Iran, with each side initially accusing the other of violating it until the missiles, drones and bombs finally stopped. On Wednesday, Trump, who helped negotiate the ceasefire, told reporters at a NATO summit in the Netherlands that it was going 'very well'. He said: '[Iran] are not going to have a bomb and they're not going to enrich.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Iran accused of 'hiding nuclear weapon ingredients' as Trump's ceasefire remains
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran hangs in the balance only hours after it was announced by President Trump - and an expert warned Iran may be hiding 'thousands of nuclear bomb supplies' Only two hours after President Trump had announced a ceasefire had been struck between Israel and Iran - peace was hanging in the balance. Israel accused Iran of sending missiles - something it denied - and launched counterstrikes, despite the US President urging them not to act. "Do not drop those bombs. If you do it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, before unleashing a sweary rant about the two countries to reporters. When asked about reports Iran had broken the ceasefire and Israel's response, Trump said, "I'm not sure they did it intentionally. They couldn't reign people back. I don't like the fact that Israel went out this morning, and I'm going to see if I can stop it. As soon as I get away from you, I'm going to see if I can stop it." He added: "We have two countries that have fought for so long and so hard that they don't know what the f*** they're doing." Since then, the ceasefire seems to be tentatively holding. The US waded into the conflict with its own strikes against three of Iran's nuclear facilities: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo. Using 125 US aircraft and so-called 'Bunker Buster' bombs, the attack is said by Trump to have done significant damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities, with the President calling them "obliterated'. However, a recently leaked intelligence report from the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has claimed that the strikes have not done anywhere near as much damage as Trump claimed and only set Iran back a few months from developing a nuclear weapon. An expert speaking to The Telegraph echoed these sentiments, claiming that it is likely Iran had far more supplies to create nuclear weapons hidden away. "I'm sure they have a hidden place somewhere with some hundreds, if not thousands of centrifuge[s] and they have material all there in several places all over Iran,' said Sara Shine, who previously worked within the Israeli military for three decades, and is reported to be an expert on Iran's nuclear programme. She added: 'They cannot do anything now, tomorrow, but in the future, they have all the capabilities [to build a bomb]". Whilst she didn't doubt the US strikes - dubbed Operation Midnight - did serious damage to the three targeted facilities, she believes that further caches will likely exist. "The [known] sites in themselves, for the time being, are not a lot of threat", the former research director for Mossad was quoted as saying. "The problem is, as you know, the material and the advanced centrifuges that I'm sure they have somewhere". However, another source said that whilst it was likely the expert was right that further enriched uranium is kept in other places by Iran, the facilities to further enrich it to weapons-grade, or indeed build a weapon had been "significantly damaged". Iran responded to the US strikes with what has been called a carefully choreographed attack on a US military base in Qatar. Advanced warning was given of the strike, and there were no injuries - with some experts claiming that the restrained measure allowed Iran to save face, but also provided an "off-ramp" for de-escalation.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NSC condemns Israeli strikes, backs Iran's right to self-defence
Listen to article The National Security Committee (NSC) has strongly condemned Israel's acts of aggression, which threatened to ignite a wider conflict, and reaffirmed Iran's right to self-defence. Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the NSC convened in Islamabad on Monday to assess the evolving regional security situation following Israeli military aggression and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the NSC expressed deep regret that the Israeli strikes came at a time when constructive negotiations between Iran and the United States were under way. MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE (NSC) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today to review the evolving regional situation following Israeli aggression against Iran. The Committee strongly condemned… — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 23, 2025 'These reckless actions have escalated tensions, threatening to ignite a wider conflict and diminishing the opportunities for dialogue and diplomacy,' the statement said. The committee reaffirmed Iran's right to self-defence, as outlined in the United Nations Charter, and called on all relevant parties to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic channels. It further stressed the importance of upholding international humanitarian and human rights laws, urging an end to hostilities through peaceful means. Read: PM terms US strikes 'serious violation of international law' The NSC offered condolences to the Iranian government and people over the loss of innocent lives and wished a swift recovery for the injured. The committee also voiced grave concern over the US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on Sunday, calling them violations of IAEA resolutions, international law, and the UN Charter. Read Also: Iran vows self-defence with 'all force' after US strikes three nuclear installations The NSC endorsed Pakistan's readiness to further continue efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability, the statement concluded. The meeting was held amid escalating turmoil in the Middle East, sparked by Israel's attack on Iran and further intensified by recent US strikes on Tehran's nuclear sites. 'Operation Midnight' On Sunday, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — using the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. The US launched 75 precision-guided munitions including bunker-buster bombs and more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles against three Iranian nuclear sites, the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, informed. Iran condemned the attack and responded with a barrage of missiles aimed at Israeli targets, injuring civilians and causing significant destruction in Tel Aviv.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
US and Iran conflict explained from why fight started to dark dangers facing UK
Donald Trump claimed the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran during "Operation Midnight", as fears grow of an escalating conflict Donald Trump shocked the world when he boasted the US had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear sites during"Operation Midnight" - but what sparked such drastic action? President Trump claimed on Sunday that the US had carried out a "successful" bombing attack on three nuclear sites in Iran after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. Israel confirmed they were in "full co-ordination" with the US in planning the strikes, which signals a significant escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Iran has threatened to hit back with a "decisive response" following the "Operation Midnight" strikes. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari says the US has directly entered the war and violated the "sacred soil" of Iran. He says the US will face "heavy, regrettable and unpredictable consequences" through "powerful and targeted operations". Mr Zolfaghari warned the president directly, adding: "Mr Trump, the gambler! You may start this war - but we will be the ones to finish it!" What was 'Operation Midnight?' The mission dubbed 'Operation Midnight Hammer' saw the US military striking three nuclear sites in Iran early Sunday. Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan were targeted by 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said during a White House briefing that bombers were deployed from the US on an 18-hour flight, with some used as a "decoy", while the seven B-2 bombers carrying "bunker buster" bombs entered Iran. B-2 stealth bombers delivered a total of 420,000 pounds of explosives, aided by refueling tankers and fighter jets — some of which launched their own weapons. US officials said Iran did not detect the jets. 'Our B-2s went in and out and back without the world knowing at all,' Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told reporters Sunday. He said the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people. He added that the mission "was not, and has not been about regime change". Why did the US get involved? Donald Trump had said on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved in the Israel and Iran conflict. However, he took just two days to enter into Israel's campaign with an early attack on Sunday. Trump believed Iran was "very close" to having a nuclear bomb, forcing him to cut short his trip to the G7 summit to focus on the escalating conflict. Buried under a huge mountain at Fordo, southwest of Tehran, is a nuclear facility where Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, which is only a short step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. According to the Air Force, only the US has only configured and programmed its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to deliver the bomb and crack open the nuclear facility inside. The US cruise missile strike at the Isfahan site likely destroyed its uranium conversion facility, the Institute for Science and International Security said. Donald Trump asserted on his Truth Social platform that Iran's nuclear sites sustained 'monumental damage' in the American attack, though a US assessment on the strikes is still underway. 'The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' he wrote. US defence officials have said they are working to determine about just how much damage the strikes did. How will Iran respond? Just hours after the US targeted attacks, Iran launched a fresh attack of missiles hitting parts of Tel Aviv and Haifa, injuring at least 86 people, according to officials. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the US had violated the "sacred soil" of Iran and says they will face "heavy, regrettable and unpredictable consequences" through "powerful and targeted operations". Iran could respond by using the remaining stock of its missile arsenal. It is believed to have around half of its 3,000 capacity following its exchanges with Israel this month. The US has a number of bases in the Middle East that could be seen as a potential target. It may also use its Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy to launch so-called 'swarm attacks' on US Navy warships. These would involve the use of fast torpedo boats and drones to overwhelm US defences. Meanwhile, Iran could also try to stop oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which could create similar inflationary shocks after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Oil prices have increased in the financial markets as the war between Israel and Iran has intensified, climbing by 21% over the past month. What does this mean for the UK? The threat to the UK from Iran is at a "significant level" already and could increase following Donald Trump's "Operation Midnight" strikes, according to officials. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said it would be "naive" to think the threat against will not escalate as Iran will look to retaliate against US allies, such as the UK. He also told Sky News that "not a week goes by" without an Iranian cyberattack on the country's national infrastructure. Meanwhile, oil prices look set to soar after Iran's parliament voted to shut down the Straight of Hormuz shipping channel following Trump's attack. There are fears a rise in oil prices could cause a global recession, as a fifth of the world's oil flows through the Hormuz.
