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Armed Attacker Fatally Shot by Security After Opening Fire Outside Michigan Church

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WAYNE, Mich. (BN24) — A would-be gunman was shot and killed by church security staff Sunday morning after opening fire outside a packed suburban Michigan church, in what police say could have become a mass shooting if not for swift and decisive intervention by churchgoers.

The incident unfolded shortly before noon at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, about 25 miles west of Detroit, where roughly 150 people were attending a worship service. Police said the suspect, a 31-year-old white male, pulled into the church parking lot recklessly, got out of his vehicle wearing a tactical vest, and was armed with a rifle and a handgun.

According to Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong, the suspect began firing rounds toward the church, striking one person in the leg. A parishioner in a pickup truck responded by ramming the gunman with the vehicle, providing enough time for at least two staff members to return fire. The shooter was struck and fatally wounded by church security.

“We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting,” said Chief Strong during a press briefing.

The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, had no known connection to the church, and police believe he may have been suffering from a mental health crisis. The exact motive remains under investigation, authorities said.

The only injury beyond the suspect’s death was to a single worshipper who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Wendy Bodin, a churchgoer, told WXYZ-TV she heard a “boom” and looked outside to see a man lying on the grass. “I thought he got hit or crashed his car or was hurt,” she said. “And another lady saw and pointed to me and said, ‘Oh my, call 911!’”

Authorities said CrossPointe’s security team responded in seconds, neutralizing the threat before he could enter the sanctuary.

The church’s website lists its Sunday worship service time as 10:45 a.m., and the shooting occurred around 11 a.m., just as services were underway.

Wayne Police and El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, alongside the FBI, whose support teams arrived to assist in the investigation. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the bureau’s leadership was coordinating with local law enforcement to determine the shooter’s background and intent.

Deputy Police Chief Finley Carter III said it was too early to determine a motive, but early indicators point to a disturbed individual acting alone.

The small city of Wayne, home to about 17,000 residents, is still reeling from the narrowly averted tragedy. Church leaders and community members have expressed gratitude that the incident didn’t result in greater loss of life.

“This could have been a devastating attack, but thanks to the preparedness of church staff and the bravery of members of the congregation, a massacre was stopped before it could begin,” said Chief Strong.

Authorities are expected to release the suspect’s identity and additional details about the investigation in the coming days.

6 Dead, 2 Missing After Boat Capsizes on Lake Tahoe During Violent Storm

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LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (BN24) — A powerful thunderstorm over Lake Tahoe, California, turned deadly over the weekend when a boat carrying ten people capsized in rough waters, leaving six people confirmed dead and two others still missing, according to officials.

The tragedy occurred Saturday afternoon near D.L. Bliss State Park, located along the lake’s southwestern edge. The U.S. Coast Guard and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to emergency calls reporting multiple people in the water after a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat overturned amid treacherous weather conditions.

Authorities said winds reached 30 knots (35 mph) and waves rose up to eight feet (2.5 meters) when the gold-colored vessel capsized, throwing all ten occupants into the frigid water.

Two people were rescued from the lake and transported to a nearby hospital, while the bodies of six others were recovered during a coordinated response effort that stretched into the evening. Dive teams and marine units resumed their search Sunday morning in hopes of locating the two remaining missing individuals.

Officials cited extreme weather as a likely factor in the capsizing. The violent thunderstorm produced gusty winds and heavy swells that battered boats across Lake Tahoe. Video obtained by KCRA-TV showed vessels at a nearby marina violently slamming into each other, illustrating the storm’s sudden intensity.

As of Sunday, the full extent of damage across the lake remained unclear, though authorities warned that water conditions remain dangerous, and further boating is discouraged until weather conditions stabilize.

The Coast Guard said the vessel flipped suddenly during peak storm activity, leaving little time for those aboard to respond. Emergency responders battled the elements to rescue survivors, while divers scoured the lake floor late into Saturday night.

“This was a sudden and catastrophic event,” an El Dorado County Sheriff’s spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the families of those lost, and our teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing.”

Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is a major summer tourist destination, known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic alpine backdrop. Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, which typically draws thousands of visitors in the summer months.

This weekend’s deadly incident has cast a pall over the region, prompting renewed focus on boater safety and weather preparedness.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims as they work to notify next of kin. Investigators are reviewing weather data and interviewing witnesses to determine the sequence of events that led to the disaster.

As of late Sunday, the search for the two missing individuals continues, with officials urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews space to work.

Iranian Missile Barrage Leaves 23 Wounded Across Israel; Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Nes Tziona Among Hit Areas

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TEL AVIV, Israel (BN24) — A wave of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel on Sunday left 23 civilians wounded, with reported damage to buildings and vehicles across central and northern districts, Israeli authorities confirmed.

According to the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command, the missile strikes injured 13 people in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, six in Nes Tziona, three in Haifa, and one on a highway near Beer Yaakov. Of the total wounded, only one individual sustained moderate injuries—a man in his 30s with shrapnel wounds to the upper body—while the others suffered light injuries from impact or debris.

The Iranian attack came in two salvos, the first involving around 20 missiles and the second fewer than 10, the IDF reported. The barrage struck densely populated regions including the Coastal, Central, and Dan districts, prompting a widespread emergency response.

The IDF acknowledged a technical error in its warning system in Haifa, where sirens failed to sound despite the impact of an intercept explosion. Military officials said the damage in Haifa likely stemmed from an Israeli interceptor missile, not a direct Iranian ballistic hit.

Sirens are programmed to trigger only in the event of missile threats, not interceptor activity, to avoid unnecessary panic. However, the incident has raised concerns about civilian warning coverage amid ongoing hostilities.

Despite early reports of unusually severe damage in Tel Aviv, the IDF clarified that no advanced or new weaponry was used, and the destruction was consistent with prior missile impacts.

Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency teams and the Fire and Rescue Authority responded to extensive damage across impacted areas. Emergency personnel reported collapsed residential structures, scorched vehicles, and debris-strewn streets.

“This is a scene of major destruction,” said MDA paramedic Moti Nissan, speaking from central Israel. “Several two-story residential buildings were severely damaged, and some collapsed. We immediately began searching with firefighting forces and the Home Front Command for survivors. We remain prepared to provide medical care should more casualties be discovered during the search.”

Emergency teams were actively scanning additional impact sites Sunday afternoon, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of discovering more injured individuals trapped beneath rubble.

In advance of the attack, the IDF confirmed that missile defense systems were activated, intercepting a portion of the incoming threats. While many of the missiles were shot down midair, fragments and direct hits still caused substantial damage, especially in densely populated areas.

The attack marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen intensified Iranian missile fire toward Israeli cities following ongoing Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.

As tensions escalate, Israeli defense officials continue to prepare for additional salvos while emphasizing the need for vigilance among civilians, especially in regions close to potential impact zones.

At least 54 people in Israel have been killed since the broader conflict erupted in June, with over 1,200 wounded in strikes and retaliatory attacks.

FedEx Founder Fred Smith, a Visionary Veteran Who Reshaped Global Delivery, Dies at 80

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BN24) — Fred Smith, the Marine Corps veteran and founder of FedEx Corp. who pioneered the modern express delivery industry and transformed global commerce, has died at age 80, the company announced on Monday.

Smith’s vision of overnight delivery—once a radical concept—gave rise to a logistics empire that became an indispensable artery of global trade and a bellwether of the U.S. economy. Under his leadership, FedEx grew from a 14-plane startup in 1973 to a multinational giant averaging 17 million shipments per business day.

Though he stepped down as CEO in 2022, Smith remained executive chairman, continuing to influence the company he founded and built into a symbol of American business ingenuity.

A 1966 graduate of Yale University, Smith developed the core concept for FedEx as a student, proposing a centralized air delivery system that relied on a “hub-and-spoke” model to coordinate shipments. That idea, initially overlooked, would become the bedrock of the modern logistics industry.

“I came up with the name ‘Federal Express’ because I wanted the company to sound big and important,” Smith later told the Associated Press, recalling how he tried—unsuccessfully—to secure a contract with the Federal Reserve Bank to jumpstart the fledgling business.

In the early days, Federal Express operated out of Memphis International Airport, serving just 25 U.S. cities with a fleet of 14 small aircraft. But Smith’s vision quickly gained momentum as FedEx became critical to businesses increasingly dependent on time-sensitive deliveries.

Before launching FedEx, Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps, commissioned as a second lieutenant after college. He completed two tours in Vietnam, earning commendations for bravery and sustaining injuries in combat. He rose to the rank of captain before leaving the military in 1969.

In a 2023 interview, Smith emphasized that his leadership style and business instincts were shaped more by his military experience than his Ivy League education.

“Everything I did running FedEx came from the Marines,” he said. “Not from Yale.”

Despite his enormous influence in business, Smith kept a low public profile, rarely seeking the spotlight. He made a cameo appearance in the 2000 film Castaway—a nod to FedEx’s cultural presence—but largely focused on family, work, and philanthropy.

Though private about his charitable work, Smith discussed a 2023 gift to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which endowed a scholarship for children of Navy service members pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“What interests me are the institutions and the causes—not the naming or the recognition,” Smith told AP at the time. “If you’ve done well in this country, it’s pretty churlish not to give a good portion of that back.”

Smith’s impact extended far beyond business. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee called him “Memphis’ most important citizen,” noting his support for local institutions like the University of Memphis and the city zoo.

“FedEx is the engine of our economy, and Fred Smith was its visionary founder,” Cohen said. “But more than that, he was a dedicated citizen who cared deeply about our city.”

Born into a Memphis family of entrepreneurs—his father built a small fortune through transportation ventures—Fred Smith channeled his heritage, education, and military service into building one of the world’s most influential companies.

His legacy lives on in the infrastructure of commerce, the discipline of logistics, and the enduring belief that speed, coordination, and vision can transform industries and lives.

American Among 3 Arrested After High-Speed Chase Leads to 110,000 Fentanyl Pill Seizure in Mexico

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CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico (BN24) — A U.S. citizen is among three individuals arrested after a high-speed car chase led to the seizure of 110,000 fentanyl pills in northern Mexico, Mexican authorities said Sunday. The bust is the latest in a string of major fentanyl seizures amid growing U.S.-Mexico tensions over cross-border drug trafficking.

The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection confirmed the arrests in Ciudad Juárez, a key border city directly across from El Paso, Texas. The detained individuals include an American woman, a Mexican man, and a third suspect who holds dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship. Mexican officials revealed that the dual national had an active arrest warrant in the United States for alleged drug trafficking offenses.

According to authorities, the group attempted to flee after spotting law enforcement while traveling by vehicle. Following a brief pursuit, police intercepted the suspects and discovered 10 bags of fentanyl tablets, along with multiple cell phones and ID cards inside the car.

The arrests resulted from a coordinated effort involving several Mexican security agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Officials described the operation as the culmination of “intelligence work and surveillance actions” that had been ongoing prior to the attempted escape.

The suspects have not yet been publicly named, pending formal charges and extradition considerations in the case of the Mexican-American man wanted in the U.S.

The Mexican government has intensified efforts to crack down on synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, a drug 50 times more potent than heroin and a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

The latest seizure is part of a broader trend of massive fentanyl hauls intercepted by Mexican authorities. In March 2025, police uncovered 275,000 fentanyl pills hidden in boxes of sliced cactus en route to Arizona. In December, over 2,400 pounds of fentanyl were seized in what officials called the largest narcotics bust in Mexican history.

The March shipment, valued at approximately $6.5 million, was allegedly being transported by a 29-year-old man through Sonora — a major drug corridor for cartels seeking access to the U.S. market.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly cited the surge of fentanyl from Mexico as a central justification for his tariff policies and toughened immigration stance. Earlier this year, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada, saying both countries had failed to uphold promises to halt the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S.

“Enough is enough. We are holding our trade partners accountable for stopping the deadly poison that’s killing American citizens every day,” Trump said during a February press conference.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended her administration’s actions, citing a 50% drop in fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border between October 2024 and January 2025, and pledging further cooperation with U.S. agencies.

As security collaboration intensifies, so do economic tensions. The U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on Mexican steel, and although talks are reportedly underway to ease the trade conflict, no formal deal has been reached. Reuters reports that negotiations remain fragile as the fentanyl crisis remains a key sticking point in bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Washington’s focus on fentanyl trafficking — particularly via land routes through northern Mexico — continues to shape both foreign policy and domestic political narratives.

The arrests in Ciudad Juárez serve as a stark reminder that cross-border drug networks remain active and adaptive, despite increased enforcement and political pressure.

Tehran Reserves ‘All Options’ to Defend Itself After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Sites, Warns of ‘Everlasting Consequences’

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TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iran issued a stark warning Sunday following a wave of U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, declaring it reserves “all options” to defend its sovereignty and national interests, as fears of a wider war in the Middle East intensify.

The response came after President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces struck three major nuclear sites in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking the most direct American military intervention against the Islamic Republic in decades.

“Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests and people,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on social media. He denounced the strikes as a “grave violation” of international law and said the move would have “everlasting consequences.”

Araqchi emphasized that the United States had acted unlawfully as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, striking peaceful nuclear installations in defiance of the U.N. Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“These events have made clear that diplomacy is being torpedoed by bombs,” he added, warning that Iran would not sit idly by in the face of foreign aggression.

Tehran’s stance signals a potentially explosive shift in the conflict, as Iranian military and political leaders hinted that no retaliatory action is off the table—including possible escalation in the Gulf, renewed attacks on Israel, or even a reassessment of its participation in international nuclear agreements.

The U.S. strikes, announced by Trump as a “spectacular military success,” were carried out using stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Fordow, a hardened underground facility, was targeted with “bunker-buster” bombs, while missile strikes were directed at Natanz and Isfahan—critical centers of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

A senior Iranian official told state media that much of the country’s most sensitive nuclear material had been moved before the attacks. However, Tehran acknowledged the strikes inflicted significant damage.

Meanwhile, the U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA) said no radiation leaks had been detected but called for an emergency meeting of its board of governors.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had fired 40 missiles at Israel overnight in retaliation and warned that the “main phase” of its response was still to come. The IRGC added that Israel and its backers would pay a heavy price if further attacks occur.

Air raid sirens sounded across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other Israeli cities, and explosions lit the night sky. Israeli authorities confirmed at least 86 people were injured, while dozens of missile impact sites were reported.

In Iran, panic and dread spread among civilians, particularly in cities near the targeted sites. One woman in Kashan told Reuters, “Our future is dark. We have nowhere to go.” Power and communication outages were also reported across several provinces.

Governments around the world urged calm. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the U.S. strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and called for immediate de-escalation. European and Gulf states, including Qatar, Japan, and Germany, warned that further conflict would have “catastrophic consequences.”

Iran has long insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but enrichment at levels up to 60% purity—just shy of weapons-grade—has sparked growing international concern. The country’s leaders now say the U.S. strike may force them to reconsider their commitment to the NPT.

The head of Iran’s atomic agency vowed the country would not allow foreign aggression to derail what it called its “national industry,” while lawmakers threatened to withdraw from international nuclear treaties.

Trump, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the U.S. had no intention of seeking regime change but warned of further military action if Tehran retaliates.

“This was not a step taken lightly,” Trump said. “But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets.”

Still, in the U.S., Trump’s move sparked bipartisan concern, with lawmakers warning that congressional authorization may be required before further military involvement.

According to Iran’s state-run Nour News Agency, at least 430 people have been killed and over 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel’s air campaign began June 13. In Israel, 24 civilians have died and over 1,200 have been wounded amid continued missile strikes.

With diplomacy stalled and the conflict intensifying, Tehran’s vow to defend itself by any means necessary casts a shadow over prospects for peace.

As the world watches with alarm, Iran’s message remains clear: “We will not stand down. We will defend our homeland.”

Ukraine Says 10,000 Russian Troops Engaged in Fighting in Kursk Region as Kyiv Expands Cross-Border Operations

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KYIV, Ukraine (BN24)— Ukrainian forces are fighting approximately 10,000 Russian soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine says it now controls about 90 square kilometers of territory, according to the country’s top military commander.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, in remarks published Sunday by his office, said Ukraine’s presence in Hlushkov district, deep within Russian territory, is part of a preemptive strategy to blunt any forthcoming enemy attack.

“We control about 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation,” Syrskyi stated. “These are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack.”

The Ukrainian military said the cross-border engagement is also serving a secondary goal: to divert Russian troops away from the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where some of the fiercest and most sustained fighting of the war has taken place.

“Russian forces committed to defending Kursk are being pulled from the Donetsk front, easing pressure on Ukrainian defenses in the east,” a military statement said.

Despite the tactical success, the 1,200-kilometer front line remains under constant threat, with Ukrainian forces working to repel waves of small-scale Russian assaults that have intensified through May and June. Military officials said the attacks come with significant Russian casualties but continue to strain Ukrainian lines.

Facing relentless missile and drone attacks by Russian forces, Ukraine has stepped up efforts to defend its infrastructure and cities further from the front. Ukrainian officials say they are now intercepting roughly 82% of Iranian-made Shahed drones, but more advanced surface-to-air missile systems are urgently needed to protect vital sites.

The air force is also developing new tactics to counter Russia’s aerial assault, including light aircraft interceptors and anti-drone operations, especially critical as Russian attacks often involve swarms of drones launched simultaneously.

Ukraine continues to use its long-range strike capabilities to inflict damage inside Russian territory. From January to May, the Ukrainian military estimates it has caused $1.3 billion in direct losses to Russia’s oil refining and fuel infrastructure, along with energy, transport, and strategic communications networks.

An additional $9.5 billion in indirect losses have been recorded due to the destabilization of the Russian oil sector and logistical bottlenecks caused by Ukrainian strikes, according to military officials.

It remains unclear whether these figures include losses from Operation Spider’s Web, a sabotage mission that Ukraine claims inflicted billions in damage to Russian air power by targeting warplanes stationed deep inside Russian bases.

The presence of Ukrainian troops on Russian soil signals a notable expansion of the conflict’s geographic scope, a shift that Kyiv describes as necessary to raise the costs of war for Moscow. While Russia continues to escalate its campaign through persistent drone and missile strikes, Ukraine is increasingly looking beyond its borders to reshape the battlefield dynamics.

As the war grinds on past its three-year mark, Ukraine’s strategy now hinges on both tactical defense at home and strategic disruption of Russia’s military and economic capabilities abroad.

Israeli Forces Recover Bodies of 3 Hostages in Gaza as Campaign Intensifies

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TEL AVIV (BN24) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Saturday that the bodies of three hostages — including an Israeli soldier and two civilians — were recovered in the Gaza Strip during an ongoing military operation, as Israel presses forward with its dual campaign against Hamas and Iran.

The remains of Yonatan Samrano, Ofra Keidar, and Staff Sgt. Shai Levinson were retrieved by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and internal security agency Shin Bet, marking a grim but significant development in Israel’s continued efforts to bring home both living and fallen hostages from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

“I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “We will not rest until we return all of our abductees home — both the living and the dead.”

The IDF did not disclose the exact location in Gaza where the remains were found, but confirmed the operation was conducted on Saturday. The retrieval brings the total number of hostages’ bodies recovered this month to eight.

Ofra Keidar, 71, was murdered during the October 7 Hamas assault on an Israeli kibbutz. Her body was taken into Gaza by militants.

Staff Sgt. Shai Levinson, 19, was killed in combat on the morning of the attack while engaging with Hamas gunmen. The IDF called his actions heroic, underscoring his sacrifice in the earliest hours of the war.

Yonatan “Yonati” Samrano, who would have turned 23 on Saturday — the day his body was recovered — was captured during the Hamas incursion. His father, Kobi Samrano, shared the news on Instagram: “Yesterday was Yonati’s Hebrew birthday. On the very day he was born, our Yonati was rescued in a heroic operation by the brave soldiers of the IDF and the Shin Bet.”

In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of those still held in Gaza, said:
“Our hearts are with the Keidar, Samrano, and Levinson families today. Alongside the grief and pain, their return provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty, and doubt for 625 days.”

The group added that amid recent military successes against Iran, the continued return of hostages must remain Israel’s central priority. “There will be no victory until the last hostage returns.”

The three hostages were among 251 people taken captive during Hamas’s October 7 cross-border assault, which also left approximately 1,200 people dead in Israel. In response, Israel launched a sweeping military campaign in Gaza.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 54,677 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict, which has devastated the enclave and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The Israeli military believes 54 hostages remain in captivity, including 31 presumed dead.

As Netanyahu faces pressure both domestically and internationally, the recovery of hostages — whether alive or deceased — continues to serve as a key pillar of Israel’s war objectives, alongside degrading Hamas’s military infrastructure and confronting Iran’s regional influence.

Global Reaction Divided After U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The global response to the United States’ airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites was swift and deeply divided on Sunday, with U.S. allies offering measured support and adversaries condemning the move as a reckless escalation that could ignite a wider regional war.

The operation, personally announced by President Donald Trump, marked the U.S.’s most direct military intervention yet in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Trump confirmed strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — facilities central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment infrastructure.

While Israel praised the U.S. for what it called a bold stand against a dangerous adversary, other nations — including Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and Qatar — denounced the attack as illegal and destabilizing. Meanwhile, global powers such as the United Nations, Britain, Japan, and the European Union urged restraint and a return to diplomacy.

Reactions From Around the World

Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said. “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

Iran – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:
Calling the strikes a “grave violation of the UN Charter,” Araghchi warned on social media that the attacks on “peaceful nuclear installations” would have “everlasting consequences.” He asserted that Iran reserves all options in defense of its sovereignty under international law.

United Nations – Secretary-General António Guterres:
Guterres condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them a “dangerous escalation” and warning of a conflict spiraling “out of control.” He urged member states to avoid “a spiral of chaos,” stressing that “there is no military solution. The only hope is peace.”

United Kingdom – Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
Starmer said Iran’s nuclear ambitions “must never culminate in a nuclear weapon” and acknowledged the U.S. had acted to alleviate that threat. However, he emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to bring stability to the region.

European Union – Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas:
Kallas echoed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program but urged all parties to “step back” and seek diplomacy. EU foreign ministers plan to discuss the crisis imminently.

Qatar – Foreign Ministry:
Qatar expressed regret and concern over the U.S. bombing of Iran, warning that the “dangerous tension” could lead to “catastrophic repercussions” on both regional and global levels.

Japan – Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba:
“We are monitoring the situation with grave concern,” Ishiba said, calling for immediate de-escalation.

Italy – Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani:
Tajani said he hoped the strikes, which had “caused massive damage to nuclear weapons production,” would open a path toward renewed negotiations.

New Zealand – Foreign Minister Winston Peters:
Calling the strikes “extremely worrying,” Peters urged all sides to return to talks, insisting that “diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution.”

Australia – Government Spokesperson:
Reaffirming concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, Canberra called on all parties to prioritize de-escalation and diplomacy.

Mexico – Foreign Ministry:
Mexico reiterated its pacifist stance, urging the parties to “urgently pursue diplomatic dialogue.”

Venezuela – Foreign Minister Yvan Gil:
Venezuela denounced the strikes as “U.S. military aggression” carried out at Israel’s behest. Caracas demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling the bombing illegal and destabilizing.

Cuba – President Miguel Díaz-Canel:
Díaz-Canel issued a harsh rebuke, condemning the U.S. attack as a “dangerous escalation” and “a serious violation of international law.” He warned of “irreversible consequences for humanity.”

Iranian Opposition – Maryam Rajavi, National Council of Resistance of Iran:
Rajavi welcomed the destruction of Iran’s nuclear assets, declaring, “Khamenei must go.” She blamed the regime’s nuclear ambitions for costing the nation lives and more than $2 trillion.

As international leaders scrambled to contain fallout from the strikes, Trump remained defiant, saying his administration would continue pressuring Iran to dismantle its nuclear program entirely. The world now braces for Tehran’s promised response — and what could become the gravest Middle East crisis in decades.

Reuters

U.S. B-2 Stealth Bombers Carried Out Iran Nuclear Strikes, Official Confirms

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — A U.S. official confirmed Saturday that B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were used in the U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, hours after President Donald Trump announced that the United States had struck three key sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters, provided the first official acknowledgment that America’s most advanced long-range bombers were involved in the operation, which marked a sharp escalation in U.S. military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Earlier on Saturday, Reuters had reported movements of B-2 bombers, capable of deploying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bomb designed to reach and destroy fortified underground facilities — including the uranium enrichment plants buried deep within Iran’s mountainous terrain.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the bombers’ participation or released details of the operation. However, military analysts had speculated that only U.S. B-2 bombers based in Missouri and occasionally forward-deployed to Guam or Diego Garcia are capable of executing a precision strike on deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites.

President Trump had stated earlier that all U.S. aircraft involved in the operation had successfully exited Iranian airspace and returned safely following the mission. The strike was described as “very successful,” with a “full payload” reportedly dropped on Fordow, the heavily protected underground facility.

The use of B-2s underscores the strategic nature and technical complexity of the airstrikes, which were intended to disable Iran’s nuclear capability while avoiding broad civilian casualties or nuclear fallout.

The confirmation follows a week of intensifying air warfare between Israel and Iran, with both sides exchanging missile and drone strikes, and escalating concerns that the U.S. military is now becoming deeply entangled in a potential regional war.

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