US President Donald Trump on July 4 (local time) invited 150 pilots and their relatives from Whiteman Air Force Station, where the B-2 fighter squadron was stationed, to attend a National Day picnic at the South Lawn Beach of the White House. These people participated in the " Night Rice" operation against Iran's nuclear facilities late last month.
Speaking from the Trump administration, Trump praised the pilots who contributed to the campaign and asked them to raise their hands to greet the crowd. If you want to raise your arms, do it, because you are extraordinary pilots, he said. First Lady Melania Trump stood next to her husband, shaking her head in surprise at the proposal.
Some people in the crowd raised their hands to follow the President's words, when the event was broadcast live. Mr. Trump continued: I saw my arms raised. Thank you very much. We owe you many things".
Before the speech, three military aircraft, including a B-2, flew over the White House during the commemorative performance.
The Night Rice operation took place on June 22, when the US launched a series of B-2 airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities to pressure Tehran to sit at the negotiating table. On June 23, Mr. Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed a comprehensive ceasefire. On June 24, both sides confirmed a ceasefire and declared victory.
The US and Israeli authorities said the operation had delayed Iran's nuclear program for at least several years, adding that Tehran had failed to evacuate uranium depots ahead of the airstrike. However, some confidential reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) say Iran's nuclear program has only been interrupted for a few months.
answered reporters on the Air Force One on the same day, July 4, Mr. Trump still expressed confidence that Iran's nuclear program had been permanently pushed back. If they restart uranium enrichment programs, that will be a problem, he stressed.
On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that nuclear facilities have suffered serious damage after 12 days of conflict. Tehran announced the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and affirmed that it will not abandon uranium enrichment activities.
