Trump addresses nation after bombing ‘the bullies of the Middle East’; KIRO, KTTH react

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran’s threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.

While addressing the nation during a press conference at 7 p.m. Saturday, Trump called Iran “the bully of the Middle East” and warned of additional attacks if it didn’t make peace.

“If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier,” Trump said at the White House after the bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities were announced earlier.

Trump portrayed the strike as a response to a long-festering problem, even if the objective was to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“For 40 years Iran has been saying death to America, death to Israel,” Trump said. “They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs.”

Trump said he worked “as a team” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the collaboration was “perhaps” like “no team has worked before.”

But Trump also noted that no military in the world except for that of the U.S. could have pulled off the attack.

The U.S. president warned during his address that he will not hesitate to strike other targets in Iran if peace does not come quickly in the Middle East.”

There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” he said.

Trump said that while the nuclear facilities struck by the U.S. on Saturday were the most “lethal,” “there are many targets left.”

“If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill,” he added.

United Nations leader condemns US strikes

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was “gravely alarmed” by the “dangerous escalation” of American bombers attacking nuclear sites in Iran.

“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he said in a statement.

He added that “at this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos” and called for further diplomacy.

US Representatives react to the bombings

Roger Wicker, a senior U.S. senator from Mississippi, called the decision to attack Iran “correct.”

Our commander-in-chief has made a deliberate —and correct— decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime. We now have very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies and stability for the middle-east. Well-done to our…

— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) June 22, 2025

U.S. Senator John Fetterman agreed, echoing his support for the decision.

As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS.

Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.

I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/YZ0pIaunff

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 22, 2025

But Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., voiced his unease with the bombings, as he previously argued that the U.S. should remain on the sidelines of Israel’s war with Iran.

“I think it’s a big mistake,” Smith said. “We have started a war with Iran, and that is an incredibly unpredictable thing to do, and it’s not clear what the objective is. Yes, we want to set back their nuclear program. How far is this going to set that back? We don’t know exactly.

“What are we trying to accomplish? Is regime change a part of it? Is it the hope that we’re going to set back their nuclear program? Are we going to somehow force them to the table?” Smith continued. “I think it’s an incredibly dangerous thing to do, and keep in mind, Iran will respond in one way or another, and then what? We have many bases in the region, in Bahrain, in Qatar, in Iraq, in the UAE, in Syria.”

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., both called Trump’s decision “unconstitutional.”

The authority to declare war belongs solely to Congress. Trump’s unconstitutional and escalatory strikes risk drawing US troops and the American people—who are overwhelmingly opposed—into another forever war. Congress must immediately exercise our duty to restrain this President.

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) June 22, 2025

Trump’s strike against Iran was unconstitutional. Under the Constitution, Congress has the explicit power to declare war and authorize military force.

These actions risk drawing the U.S. and our service members into another war in the Middle East, without explanation.

I join…

— Rep. Suzan DelBene (@RepDelBene) June 22, 2025

KIRO, KTTH react to the breaking news

In response to the bombings, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate, and that the event will have “everlasting consequences.”

“With so much chaos happening domestically under this administration, I’m very worried that we are now directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict,” Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” said. “President Trump had campaigned on the promise of ending our involvement in expensive and endless wars. And now, here we are, just six months into his second term, and we are bombing Iran. What is the end game? What happens when Iran retaliates?

“While I agree that we need to stop Iran’s nuclear capabilities, I would also have more confidence if we had more stable, qualified leadership than those four men who were at the podium tonight,” Ursula added.

The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, thanked Trump, claiming the strikes marked a “decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope.”

“This is a historic move. However, I can’t say I am surprised,” KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell shared. “All signs were pointing in this direction. It’s a sad day when we find ourselves in a violent conflict, and I do worry about the repercussions.”

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show,” called the operation an “amazing accomplishment” by the U.S. military.

“After reading about some of the locations and reported depths of these facilities (Fordow reportedly being 90m deep), it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Skorheim said. “Prayers for our soldiers’ safety in the region.”

KTTH hosts argued this was the best plan moving forward in terms of dealing with Iran.

“You can’t negotiate with Iran—the last two decades have proven that,” Jason Rantz, host of “The Jason Rantz Show,” said. “This was necessary.”

Rantz also said that “60 days means 60 days,” a reference to a deadline for Iran to agree to end its plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Midday host Guy Benson, also a Fox News contributor, called the strikes the “correct decision.” But he warns of danger ahead.

“Iran has a ballistic weapons arsenal (though Israel has largely defanged it) and terrorist cells,” Benson said. “Two causes for trepidation—and also two reasons why preventing Iran from getting nukes is absolutely the right call.”

Contributing: The Associated Press

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