Trump approves strike plan against Iran; won't step back from nuclear program, says Khamenei

TEL AVIV: U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a plan to attack Iran, although a final decision on launching the assault has not yet been made. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the military is ready to strike as soon as the President gives the order.

Mass evacuations have begun from Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran. Indications suggest that the US is likely to target Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cannot be allowed to exist. The conflict escalated after an Iranian missile struck Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, injuring more than 30 people.

The US has stated that it will not attack if Iran agrees to abandon its nuclear program. However, Khamenei has firmly rejected bowing to US pressure. Russia has reiterated that the US must not intervene in the matter. Over 270 people were injured in Israel following Iran’s missile attacks early yesterday. In retaliation, Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities in Arak and Natanz.

Fordow nuclear facility: Built by tunnelling into a mountain

• Located about 95 km southwest of Tehran
• Built by tunnelling into a mountain at a depth of 260–300 feet
• The U.S. is the only country possessing a bomb capable of destroying it (GBU-57 bunker buster)
• Reports indicate that Israeli forces have destroyed Iranian and Russian air defence systems protecting the facility
• Construction began in 2006; became operational in 2009. Uranium enrichment at Fordow was halted in 2016 following a nuclear deal with the U.S. and Western powers, and the facility was converted into a research centre. Enrichment resumed in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the deal

US seeks access to Pakistan for striking Iran
The U.S. is reportedly seeking access to military bases and ports in neighbouring Pakistan to launch attacks on Iran. Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir was invited to the White House for lunch and private discussions, possibly related to this. In return, the U.S. may provide Pakistan with advanced warplanes and missile systems.

US naval and air forces mobilised

• The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its fleet have been deployed from Southeast Asia to the Gulf
• USS Carl Vinson-led fleet is already stationed in the region
• Advanced fighter jets, including F-22s, F-35s, and fuel tanker aircraft have arrived
• The B-2 Spirit, the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57 bunker buster bomb, is also reportedly in the area

Operation Sindhu: India evacuates citizens from Israel
Under “Operation Sindhu,” the Indian government has decided to evacuate its citizens from Israel. The plan involves transporting people from the Israeli border back to India via air. Indian nationals in Israel are advised to register at the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv: https://www.indembassyisrael.gov.in/indian_national_reg
Phone: +972 54-7520711; +972 54-3278392
Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in

Under the same operation, the first flight carrying 110 students from Iran (via Armenia) arrived in Delhi yesterday morning. Among them, 90 students were from Jammu and Kashmir.