U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Nuclear Sites, Including Fordow, Trump Calls It ‘Historic Moment’
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—in a surprise strike aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program. The attack, conducted with B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs, marked the U.S.’s first direct military action against Iran, escalating the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Trump hailed the operation as a “spectacular military success,” while Iran’s nuclear agency confirmed the strikes but insisted its work would not stop. Tehran warned of retaliation, raising fears of a wider regional war.
The strikes occurred late Saturday evening, targeting Iran’s key uranium enrichment sites. Fordow, a heavily fortified facility buried 80-90 meters under a mountain near Qom, was hit with six 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, known as “bunker busters,” according to Fox News host Sean Hannity, citing Trump. Natanz and Isfahan, critical to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, were struck with 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines 400 miles away. All U.S. planes, including B-2 bombers from Missouri, safely exited Iranian airspace.
Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social at 7:50 pm ET, stating, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran… A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.” In a televised address at 10 pm ET, he claimed Iran’s nuclear facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” and urged Tehran to negotiate peace, warning of further strikes if it retaliated.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency confirmed the attacks early Sunday, quoting Qom provincial official Morteza Heidari: “Part of the Fordow nuclear site was attacked by enemy airstrikes after air defenses were activated.” The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran condemned the “savage assault” but declared, “Our nuclear industry, built on the blood of martyrs, will not be stopped.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in Istanbul, warned that U.S. involvement would be “very, very dangerous,” signaling potential retaliation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump, stating in a video, “Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history.” Israel, which began strikes on Iran on June 13, had lobbied for U.S. involvement, citing the need for bunker-buster bombs only America possesses. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the strikes “the right call,” while Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled them “unconstitutional” and grounds for impeachment.
The strikes follow years of tension over Iran’s nuclear program. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. Recent IAEA reports indicated Fordow had enriched uranium to 83.7%, close to weapons-grade levels. Israel’s June 13 strikes had already weakened Iran’s air defenses, but only U.S. B-2 bombers could penetrate Fordow’s fortifications.
Iran’s pledge to retaliate raises concerns for 40,000 U.S. troops in the region, particularly in Iraq. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea. Experts warn of an “escalatory spiral,” with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei facing pressure to respond. The U.S. signaled to Iran that the strikes were limited and not aimed at regime change, but Tehran’s next moves remain uncertain.
