US took the 'bomb' right out of Iran's hands, Trump says

At the request of the Trump administration, the Israeli Air Force took out several Iranian air defense systems in the 48 hours before the US strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, Axios reported, citing three US and Israeli officials.

President Trump made the request directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, after deciding to proceed with a strike unless a diplomatic breakthrough emerged.

According to the report, the US provided Israel with a list of targets to neutralize, focusing on air defense systems in southern Iran to pave the way for incoming US B-2 stealth bombers.

“In the 48 hours before the US operation, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) conducted several strikes in the area to degrade Iranian defenses,” an Israeli official was quoted as saying by Axios.

Israel does not anticipate a drastic response from Iran following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Times of Israel reported citing an Israeli official on Sunday.

“We expect more of the same, like what they’ve done this morning,” the official was quoted as saying.

The official added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed of the US operation “at least 24 hours before” the attack.

Israel is prepared to halt its bombing campaign if Iran agrees to dismantle its nuclear program. “It depends on Iran, not on us,” the official said. “We are happy to wrap it up now. If there’s an agreement at the end, Israel will be content with the result.”

Iran is a threat to international security and must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, Canada said on Sunday, urging all sides to de-escalate and resume negotiations after overnight US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

“Canada has been consistent and clear that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons as they are a threat to international security,” the Canadian foreign ministry said on X. “We urge parties to return to the negotiating table and reach a resolution to this crisis.”

British, German and French leaders have urged Iran not to further destabilize the region following US strikes, according to a joint statement issued Sunday.

“We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear program,” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron said.

“We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilize the region.”

US strikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site did not destroy the facility but severely damaged it, the New York Times reported citing unnamed US and Israeli officials.

It appeared Iran had moved equipment, including uranium, from the site, the report cited the officials as saying.

Even twelve bunker-busting bombs could not destroy the site, an unnamed senior US official said.