US Vice-President JD Vance disclosed on Sunday that President Donald Trump gave final authorization to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities just minutes before the operation began. Speaking on NBC, Vance said, “He decided to proceed”, confirming Trump had the power to abort the mission till the last moment.
Strike Details
The airstrike, carried out using powerful ‘bunker buster’ bombs, hit three major nuclear sites in Iran. The US Joint Chiefs of Staff verified the timeline of the operation during a press briefing.
Why the US Stepped In
Trump’s decision came after weeks of internal debate and diplomatic failure. The final green light was given to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when US-led negotiations, spearheaded by envoy Steve Witkoff, yielded no results. Trump had signaled readiness for intervention even as his press team maintained a façade of ongoing discussions.
Possible Iranian Response
Vance noted that Iran’s next move remains uncertain, though indirect messages from Tehran have reached Washington. If Iran retaliates or attempts to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Vance warned, “It would be suicidal and destroy their own economy.”
No Plans for Full-Scale War
Dismissing the possibility of a long war, Vance clarified, “This is a focused mission to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. The president is deeply cautious about prolonged conflicts.”
