In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran, the US military carried out significant airstrikes on Saturday night, targeting three key nuclear facilities in Iran, including the Fordow enrichment plant.
This operation included the deployment of six specialized “bunker buster” bombs on the facility, which is situated nearly 300 feet beneath a mountain, marking a historic moment as the first-ever US military strike on Iranian territory.
President Donald Trump characterized the strikes as a complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear capacity, claiming, “Fordow is completely and totally obliterated.”
These attacks came shortly after Israel had initiated extensive military actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military capabilities.
The president shared the news via a Truth Social post shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, noting, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran airspace.”
In a televised address to the nation from the White House at 10 p.m., President Trump reaffirmed the objective of the strikes, stating, “Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
He proclaimed, “Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,” surrounded by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The president underscored Iran’s historical threats, emphasizing, “For 40 years, Iran has been saying, ‘Death to America, Death to Israel.’ They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs — that was their specialty.”
Total casualties attributed to Iranian actions, he noted, included over 1,000 Americans, with additional hundreds of thousands affected globally due to Iranian aggression.
In a series of statements and updates released regarding the US bombings, President Trump confirmed, “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The military strikes targeted the Fordow site, as well as Natanz and Esfahan, both already suffering significant damage from prior Israeli strikes.
Trump noted that while this strike was the most challenging, many other targets remain if peace negotiations fail.
“There are many targets left. Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal,” he stated.
He hinted at future military actions against Iran if diplomatic solutions were not achieved quickly.
Earlier in the week, Trump appeared to section off a timeline for potential military intervention, suggesting a decision would be made within two weeks. However, reports surfaced indicating he opted for immediate action just a day after proposing that timeframe.
Sources close to the administration disclosed that Trump authorized the deployment of B-2 bombers to be on standby for the operation, which ultimately targeted Fordow directly.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioned against US strikes leading to “irreparable damage,” although he did not elaborate on Iran’s specific intended response.
In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decisive measures, declaring, “Congratulations President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history.”
The strikes have invoked a mixed response across the political spectrum. Some GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, voiced support, asserting that Trump’s actions were a necessary step in protecting US interests from Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The President made the right call, and did what he needed to do,” Johnson remarked.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, also commended the strikes, declaring, “This was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.”
However, the decision sparked criticism from progressives and libertarians, arguing that it exceeded the President’s constitutional authority to initiate military engagements.
“This is not Constitutional,” tweeted Representative Thomas Massie.
In contrast, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her concern over the potential for extended conflict, suggesting the airstrikes could lead to a war “that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”
In the lead-up to these airstrikes, Trump had publicly expressed a desire for negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, appointing Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to lead multiple rounds of high-level discussions since April.
However, tensions escalated as Iranian officials refuted Trump’s demands for disarmament, particularly following Israel’s strikes initiated on June 13.
Netanyahu, asserting that Iran was on the verge of nuclear weapon development, began the wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s strategic nuclear scientists and military leaders.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Friday that negotiations with the United States could not proceed “until Israeli aggression stops” and emphasized that no Iranian officials were willing to negotiate under current circumstances.
As the regional conflict escalated, interacting parties continued to trade threats. Trump asserted that he had been advised of the exact location of Khamenei but chose to allow him to remain unharmed—for now— in consideration of future peace discussions.
Khamenei reacted to Trump’s rhetoric by labeling it as foolish, stating that Iran would never capitulate to US threats.
“The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats,” he voiced, emphasizing, “What should the Iranian nation surrender to?”
In response to the ayatollah’s remarks, Trump coolly remarked,
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