President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb three nuclear facilities in Iran is being met with praise from Wyoming’s congressional delegation.
Rep. Harriet Hageman told Cowboy State Daily she’s hopeful Trump’s decision will provide security to the Middle East and the rest of the world.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” she said. “I am grateful our troops are safe and thank them for their bravery.”
Sen. John Barrasso called Trump’s decision “the right one” in an X post.
“The greatest threat to the safety of the United States and the world is Iran with a nuclear weapon,” Barrasso added.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis agreed stating that Iran was the "world's largest sponsor of terrorism."
"President Trump was right to order this strike on their nuclear facilities," she said.
The Sites
Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were the three nuclear facilities bombed, Trump said in a Saturday evening address to the nation about the strategic strike.
The three sites are part of the Iranian effort to enrich uranium, he said.
“A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” Trump posted to Truth Social.
The strikes were a spectacular military success, Trump added in his address to the nation.
“Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump continued. “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.”
The nuclear facilities were the hardest targets and if peace doesn’t come quickly the United States will go after other targets with precision, speed and skill, Trump added.
No American fatalities resulted from the strikes, Trump said on Truth Social.
Operational details are expected to be provided at a Sunday morning news conference held at the Pentagon.
About Nukes
There are three primary uranium isotopes: uranium 238, uranium 235 and uranium 234. Nearly 99.3% of uranium mined is uranium 238, roughly 0.7% is uranium 235 and the very small remainder is uranium 234.
Uranium enrichment involves separating out the uranium 235 isotopes. Uranium 235 is fissile, meaning it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction and that it’s necessary for both nuclear power production and nuclear weapons production.
The percentage of uranium 235 determines the enrichment level. If the percentage is below 20%, the uranium 235 is generally used for power production. A percentage above 90% is considered weapons-grade.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in February that Iran had roughly 600 pounds of 60% enriched uranium. Israeli intelligence officials estimate the Iranians were weeks away from weapons-grade uranium.
Isfahan is where the Iranians convert yellowcake uranium to uranium hexafluoride gas so that it can be enriched. Fordow and Natanz are the site of uranium enrichment efforts.
Matthew Christian can be reached at matthew@cowboystatdaily.com.
