The US strikes came after a week of open conflict between Israel and Iran, sparked by Israel’s sudden barrage of attacks against Iran’s nuclear and military structure.
Here we give you a recap of what has happened so far.
Israel attacks: Israel attacked Iran on 13 June, striking Iranian military and nuclear sites and killing several top military officials and nuclear scientists.
Why? Israeli leaders argued Iran could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat, while US intelligence and the International Atomic Energy Agency assessed Tehran was not actively pursuing a bomb.
Iran retaliates: Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israel, some of which penetrated the country’s vaunted Iron Dome air defence system.
More strikes and counter-strikes: Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 950 people, including 380 civilians, and wounded 3,450 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. Israel said Iranian attacks killed 24 people and wounded hundreds.
US joins conflict: Bombers carried out “massive precision strikes” on Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites on Saturday night, Trump said. American bunker-buster bombs were the only munitions that could have hit Fordow, buried beneath a mountain.
Aftermath: Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were not aimed at toppling the Iranian government, but Donald Trump suggested regime change would be a positive outcome. For its part, Iran has threatened the US with a “decisive response”.
Watch: Mark Stone explains US strikes on Iran
