US military prepares for counterattacks on bases and facilities after Trump strikes Iran's nuclear sites

WASHINGTON, DC: America just dropped bombs on Iran — and now the US military is gearing up for what could be some serious blowback.

After the surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday, June 21, US military leaders wasted no time in sounding the alarm for their troops.

According to guidance being circulated among military personnel, the attack "will likely result in counterstrikes on US bases and facilities" across the Middle East.

Officials are also warning that the operation could "likely activate Iran and other foreign terrorist organizations' cells abroad, including the US, to conduct strikes against US persons and facilities," as reported by the Daily Mail.

There are around 40,000 US troops stationed throughout the Middle East, spread out across several countries, meaning any retaliation could hit a wide range of American interests.

Donald Trump takes a victory lap and issues a stark warning

The US didn’t go at it alone — the strikes were coordinated with Israel, and the weapons of choice were the US Air Force’s stealthy B-2 “bunker bomber” planes.

Just before 8.00 pm ET on Saturday, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to confirm what had gone down.

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” he wrote.

“All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," the commander-in-chief added. 

In a follow-up post, Trump wrote, “I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”

In his subsequent address, the presdient called the strikes a “spectacular military success.” But along with the celebration came a stark warning. “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” he said. “Remember, there are many targets left.”

According to a senior White House official who spoke to the Daily Mail, Trump gave Israel a heads-up ahead of the airstrikes and has since spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Donald Trump previously said he would take two weeks to decide whether to join Israel in attacking Iran

Before his social media posts and national address, Donald Trump had just wrapped up a 24-hour stay at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort. He flew back to Washington, DC, and entered the White House through the South Lawn without saying a word to reporters.

The White House even called a “lid” — meaning the media was officially told the president was done for the day. But just an hour later, Trump dropped the bombshell announcing the attack on Truth Social.

Interestingly, just a couple of days earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said Trump was giving himself two weeks to decide whether the US would join Israel in military action against Iran. But things appear to have escalated rather quickly.

Leavitt said during the White House briefing, "I have a message directly from the president, and I quote, 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.'"

She added that while the US was still in contact with Iranian officials, she wouldn’t elaborate on whether other countries were acting as intermediaries or how those elusive nuclear talks might unfold.

Meanwhile, European diplomats reportedly met with Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, hoping to hammer something out.