President Trump Announces Successful Bombing Operation
President Donald Trump declared that the United States carried out a “successful” bombing mission targeting three nuclear sites in Iran, claiming these facilities have been “obliterated.” While the Pentagon noted that a full evaluation of the damage will take time, early reports suggest the sites suffered “extremely severe” destruction.
Israel confirmed it coordinated closely with the US in planning the strikes. Iranian officials acknowledged the attacks but denied significant damage occurred. This military action represents a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Details of the US Attack: Weapons and Targets
According to US General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the operation, named Operation Midnight Hammer, involved 125 military aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers. The strikes focused on three key nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The bombers embarked on an 18-hour mission from the US, with some aircraft flying decoy routes into the Pacific. The main strike force proceeded into Iranian airspace, supported by fighter jets that cleared the path of enemy threats.
Just before entering Iran, a US submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting the Isfahan site. The lead B-2 bomber deployed two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs)—specialized bunker-buster bombs—at Fordo. In total, 14 MOPs were dropped across two target zones.
All attacks occurred between 18:40 and 19:05 Eastern Time. The bombers returned safely, with no interception by Iranian air defenses.
Strategic Importance of the Fordo Site
Fordo is a heavily fortified underground uranium enrichment facility located south of Tehran, buried deeper than the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. Its depth requires the US’s powerful MOP bombs, capable of penetrating roughly 18 meters of concrete or 61 meters of earth before detonating.
While the MOPs are designed to destroy deep underground targets, there is no guarantee of complete success given the extreme fortification of the site. The seven B-2 bombers carried a total of 75 precision-guided weapons during the operation.
Initial Assessment of Damage
General Caine stated that assessing the full extent of the damage will take time, but early evaluations indicate “extremely severe damage” across all three targeted sites. Satellite images from June 22 reveal multiple fresh craters at Fordo, likely from missile impacts, along with debris scattered down the mountainside.
Experts note the bomb penetrated deeply before detonating, causing significant structural damage but limited surface blast marks. Iranian efforts to block tunnel entrances may have mitigated damage to those specific areas.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization condemned the strikes as a “barbaric violation” of international law. The International Atomic Energy Agency and Saudi Arabia reported no rise in radiation levels following the attacks. Iranian officials claimed the sites had been evacuated prior to the strikes, reducing the impact.
Iran’s Response and Possible Retaliation
Shortly after the US bombing, Iran launched missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa, injuring at least 86 people. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed a response to the US “aggression,” while also expressing willingness for negotiations under international law.
Security analysts suggest Iran has three main options:
Refrain from retaliation to avoid further US strikes and possibly resume diplomacy.
Launch immediate, forceful counterattacks targeting US bases and naval forces.
Delay retaliation to a moment when US defenses are less prepared.
Reactions from US Politicians
Trump confirmed the strikes via his Truth Social platform and later made a televised address, warning that future attacks could be “far greater” unless Iran chooses diplomacy. Many Republicans expressed support, including Senators Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell. However, some, like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Congressman Thomas Massie, criticized the action as unconstitutional without Congressional approval.
Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, warned the strikes risk dragging the US into a larger Middle Eastern conflict.
Global Reactions to the Strikes
European leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Iran to avoid further destabilization, reaffirming opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the strikes as a dangerous escalation, while the EU called for de-escalation and renewed talks. Saudi Arabia and Oman expressed concern and called for restraint. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized dialogue after speaking with the Iranian president. Russian officials criticized the US action, with Dmitry Medvedev sarcastically questioning Trump’s peace credentials.
Background: How the Conflict Escalated
The conflict intensified after Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, aiming to halt Tehran’s nuclear development. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, leading to ongoing exchanges of strikes.
Trump has consistently opposed Iran developing nuclear weapons. While Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear arms, it neither confirms nor denies this.
In recent months, US intelligence stated Iran had increased uranium stockpiles but was not actively building a weapon, a claim Trump has disputed. At the time of the attacks, US-Iran nuclear talks were ongoing, though tensions rapidly escalated.
