On Thursday, it seemed as if US President Donald Trump was buying time by saying that the US would decide within two weeks on a possible US attack on Iran. On Sunday night at 2:30 (local time), Iran learned that Trump had already made up his mind: three nuclear sites, of which Fordow is the most important, were bombed. The sites of Natanz and Isfahan were also hit.

We already know this:

• According to Trump, Fordow in Qom province was “completely destroyed”. Fordow is an underground nuclear complex discovered by the Americans in 2009. It is built into a mountain and is up to 90 meters underground: the Israelis said they could only hit the complex with American help. According to Trump, Fordow is the main target of the attack. The Israelis fear that Iran wanted to secretly build a nuclear weapon there.
• Satellite images show that the access roads to Fordow were bombed. The only above-ground building is still standing. In the days leading up to the attack, there was increased logistical activity at the site, with dozens of trucks. This suggests that Iran was preparing for a possible attack. According to the news agency Tasnim, a number of people were injured in the bombing of Fordow.
• The Natanz nuclear site contains Iran's largest uranium enrichment facilities. It had already been hit hard by Israel.

• Isfahan is the country's largest nuclear research center and was also targeted by Israel. It was founded in the 1980s with Chinese help. Some 3,000 scientists are said to be working there.
• The Americans used B2 bombers during the bombing: seven so-called 'bunker-buster' bombs were dropped on Fordow. Israel requested the use of these bombs, because only America possesses them and Fordow would otherwise remain out of reach.

• According to Fox News, Tomahawk missiles were fired from a submarine in the attack on Natanz and Isfahan.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not detected elevated radiation levels after the attack. Authorities in Iran also say there is no immediate danger to local residents.
• According to Trump, “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must make peace now.” He has threatened new attacks if Iran does not back down.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has remained silent and left communication to his Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. He spoke of an “outrageous” attack that will have “eternal consequences.” When asked at a press conference whether the door to diplomacy was still open, he replied: “Not at this time.” According to him, Iran has the right to legitimate self-defense.
• On the morning of the attack, Iran fired nearly 30 rockets at Israel. In central Israel and Haifa, the rockets caused heavy material damage. The human toll has already risen to at least 86 people.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delighted with the attack. He has long been calling for US intervention in Iran and says the attack was coordinated with Israel. Netanyahu calls it a “courageous decision” and a “turning point in history”.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls it a “dangerous escalation in a region already teetering on the brink”. He calls on UN member states to de-escalate and warns of a conflict that “could quickly spiral out of control”.
• Europe is pressing in vain for a diplomatic way out of the conflict and wants to get Iran back to the table.