Trump Declares U.S. Successfully Bombs Three Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Washington, D.C., June 22, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump announced late Saturday that U.S. forces successfully struck three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The announcement, first made via a post on Truth Social, marked a significant U.S. intervention in the Middle East, aligning closely with Israel’s campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The operation, described by Trump as a “spectacular military success,” involved B-2 stealth bombers deploying massive ordnance penetrators (MOPs), commonly known as bunker-buster bombs, to target deeply fortified sites.
Trump announces successful US strike on 3 Iranian nuclear sites. rewrite title
The strikes, which occurred early Sunday in Iran, were confirmed by Pentagon sources and detailed by Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin, reporting live from the Pentagon. According to Griffin, six B-2 bombers, each capable of carrying two 30,000-pound GBU-57 MOPs, departed Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri at midnight on Saturday. The 18-hour flight positioned the stealth bombers to deliver precise strikes on Fordow, Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear enrichment facility, built deep within a mountainside near Qom. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” Trump stated on Truth Social, emphasizing that multiple passes may have been made to ensure the facility’s destruction.
Fordow, described as the “crown jewel” of Iran’s nuclear program, is designed to withstand conventional attacks, with its uranium enrichment operations buried approximately 200 feet underground. The GBU-57 bombs, unique to the U.S. arsenal, are engineered to penetrate such depths. Griffin explained the operational mechanics: “The first 30,000-pound bunker buster creates a 25-foot radius hole, penetrating about 200 feet before exploding. A second bomb follows into the same hole, drilling deeper to maximize damage.” Experts suggest that multiple bombs were likely used to target Fordow’s two entrance points, a tactic intended to cripple the facility’s functionality.
Natanz and Isfahan, the other two targeted sites, are also critical to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Natanz, Iran’s primary uranium enrichment site since 2006, has been partially rebuilt following previous attacks, while Isfahan is believed to house near-bomb-grade enriched uranium. Trump’s claim that all three facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” could not be independently verified, but Iranian state media acknowledged the attacks, insisting there was no contamination risk and vowing to continue their nuclear program.
The operation was preceded by weeks of Israeli airstrikes, which began on June 13, targeting Iran’s air defenses, missile launchers, and nuclear infrastructure. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised the U.S. strikes, with Netanyahu calling them a “bold decision” that “will change history.” Israeli forces had already neutralized significant portions of Iran’s air defenses, claiming air superiority over Tehran. “The Israeli Air Force has been relentless, taking out 14 nuclear scientists, 50 top generals, and over half of Iran’s mobile ballistic missile launchers,” Griffin reported, citing Israeli military sources. This paved the way for the B-2 bombers, escorted by F-22s, F-16s, and E-18 Growlers for electronic warfare support, to operate with reduced risk.
The U.S. strikes drew mixed reactions domestically. Top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, supported Trump’s decision, arguing that Iran’s refusal to negotiate nuclear disarmament justified the action. However, some lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, condemned the strikes as unconstitutional, citing the lack of Congressional approval. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned the attacks as a violation of international law, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “irreparable damage” to the U.S. for intervening.
Trump’s Truth Social posts underscored a hardline stance, warning Iran against retaliation: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.” He urged Iran, which he called “the bully of the Middle East,” to pursue peace, hinting at further targets if diplomacy fails. The Pentagon, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is expected to provide a detailed briefing on Sunday morning.
The strikes mark a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations, risking further escalation in an already volatile region. With tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East, concerns mount over potential Iranian reprisals, including attacks on U.S. bases or disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. As the world awaits Iran’s response, the operation underscores Trump’s willingness to use military force to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a stance that could define his second term.
Sources: The Washington Post, CBS News, The New York Times, Reuters, Fox News Pentagon correspondent Jennifer Griffin
