The US struck an ammunition depot in Isfahan with powerful aerial bombs
A video released by Donald Trump captured the moment US forces struck a large ammunition depot in Iran. According to an American official, so-called penetrator munitions, designed to destroy underground targets, were used in the attack on targets in the city of Isfahan, reports The Independent.
The published footage shows a powerful explosion and thick black smoke rising above the city. The official, who was not named, noted that the US had used a significant number of such aerial bombs during the strikes in the area.
Isfahan is home to one of Iran’s largest nuclear facilities. The city was already targeted during hostilities last summer.
According to satellite fire monitoring data, the explosions may have occurred near Mount Sofeh, where military positions are believed to be located.
Amid growing pressure on the Trump administration to end the war and stabilise global energy markets, the US president has warned of the possibility of large-scale destruction of Iran’s energy infrastructure should a swift agreement not be reached.
In his post, he wrote that in the absence of an agreement and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, the US could destroy power stations, oil fields, Kharq Island and, possibly, desalination plants that had not previously been targeted.
Iran has previously accused the US and Israel of attacks on the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Trump also stated that on 13 March, the US struck Kharq Island, a key oil hub in the Strait of Hormuz region.
In an interview published on Monday, Trump spoke of progress in talks with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Meanwhile, Tehran denied that talks had taken place and accused Washington of using statements about dialogue as a cover for deploying troops.
According to US officials, thousands of troops have arrived in the Middle East as part of a reinforcement effort that expands US capabilities, including a potential ground operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he did not wish to set a clear deadline for ending the war with Iran.
Trump is also reported to have told his advisers that he is prepared to end the military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.
The US President is facing growing domestic pressure ahead of the November mid-term elections. Against the backdrop of the conflict, oil prices have reached a four-year high. In just over a month, 13 American soldiers have been killed and a further 303 wounded.
The Israeli military reported that four soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon. Earlier in the same area, three UN peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents.
