'Totally obliterated!' Donald Trump BOMBS Iran as Tehran 'bullies' consider 'all options' after US strikes

"Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror," he said.

Trump hailed the strikes as a "spectacular military success", adding: "Iran, the bully of the Middle East must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier."

However, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called the attacks "outrageous" and hinted at retaliation due to the "everlasting consequences" of America's strikes.

In a statement, Araghchi said: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations.

"The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior.

"In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people."

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Meanwhile, Trump issued a stark warning to Iran against retaliation, threatening even deadlier strikes if Tehran responds to the American assault.

"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.

Trump added: "Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight's was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal.

"But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill."

Trump instead urged Iran to "make peace immediately", warning: "Otherwise they'll get hit again."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the American strikes on Sunday morning.

"Congratulations, President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Trump revealed that he and Netanyahu had "worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel".

Netanyahu later declared that his promise to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities had been "fulfilled" following the US strikes.

Leading Republicans also backed Trump's decision to strike Iran, including House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Johnson declared: "The military operations in Iran should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says.

"The President gave Iran's leader every opportunity to make a deal, but Iran refused to commit to a nuclear disarmament agreement."

However, the strikes faced sharp criticism from left-leaning Democrats.

Speaking at a rally in Tulsa in Oklahoma last night, Senator Bernie Sanders labelled the attack "grossly unconstitutional".

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed alarm at the "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge".

He stated: "At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."

The strikes follow more than a week of Israeli operations targeting Iran's air defences and missile capabilities.

US and Israeli officials indicated that American stealth bombers carrying 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs offered the best chance of destroying heavily fortified underground sites at Fordow.