US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran including key Fordow bunker as Trump hails 'very successful attack' and says 'now is the time for peace'

US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran including key Fordow bunker as Trump hails 'very successful attack' and says 'now is the time for peace'

Donald Trump has declared the US has carried out a 'very successful attack' on three Iranian nuclear sites. He announced American planes had dropped a 'full payload of bombs' on key sites including Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

The United States has bombed three nuclear sites in Iran in a risky move that could spark a wider regional conflict.

President Donald Trump tonight hailed the 'very successful attack' on the key Fordow bunker, Natanz and Esfahan sites.

He said American planes had dropped a 'full payload of bombs' and had now left Iranian airspace.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," Trump declared in a post on social media.

"All planes are now outside of Iran's air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.'

Trump added in a later post that he would address the nation at 10pm Eastern Time (3am UK time), writing this was a 'historic moment' for the United States.

The president said B-52 stealth bombers were used but did not specify which types of bombs were dropped.

The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defenses and nuclear program.