WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States carried out coordinated airstrikes on three major nuclear facilities in Iran, in what is being described as one of the most dramatic escalations in U.S.-Iran tensions in recent memory.
The strikes, which reportedly occurred on Saturday night, June 21, targeted Iran’s deeply fortified nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — all central to the Islamic Republic’s uranium enrichment and nuclear development programs.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump wrote in a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. “All planes are now outside of Iran airspace. 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!”
B-2 Bombers, Bunker-Busters Deployed
According to U.S. defense officials, the airstrikes were conducted using B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, deploying GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) — powerful 30,000-pound bombs capable of smashing through fortified underground bunkers.
The Fordow nuclear site, which is buried deep inside a mountain near the city of Qom, was reportedly the main focus of the bombing campaign. Western intelligence agencies have long viewed the facility as one of Iran’s most secure and secretive locations, capable of enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels.
The B-2 Spirit, one of the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, was selected for the mission due to its stealth capabilities and its unique ability to deliver the MOP, a bomb specifically engineered to penetrate thick concrete and subterranean defenses.
“The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses,” the U.S. Air Force has stated in its official briefing materials. With a payload capacity of up to 40,000 pounds, the aircraft can deliver both nuclear and conventional weapons, and is manned by a two-person crew with virtually unlimited global range thanks to aerial refueling.
Strategic Impact and Global Reaction
The strikes come amid a rapidly intensifying conflict in the Middle East, particularly following an escalating exchange of missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel. Analysts say the U.S. air campaign signals a dangerous turning point that could significantly alter regional power dynamics and provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran.
While no immediate response was issued by Iranian officials, the targeting of such high-value nuclear assets is expected to draw fierce condemnation from the Islamic Republic. It is unclear whether the sites were actively operational at the time of the bombing, though all three — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — are known for their roles in various phases of uranium enrichment and research.
The international community, particularly European powers and the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, is likely to call for urgent diplomacy to prevent the situation from spiraling into broader war.
A Message of Strength and Peace?
Trump’s public framing of the attack as both a military triumph and a step toward peace has sparked mixed reactions. Critics argue that such actions could backfire by triggering further instability or emboldening hardliners within Iran’s leadership. Supporters, however, praise the bold show of force as a deterrent against nuclear proliferation and aggression.
Despite no longer holding office, Trump’s announcement raises questions about the command structure behind the operation and whether the strikes were initiated under a joint allied command or conducted independently by U.S. forces.
Looking Ahead
As the world awaits Iran’s official response, military analysts warn that further escalations could draw in other regional powers and disrupt global energy markets. Experts are also closely watching Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for signs of retaliation, either through conventional military means or proxy forces across the region.
The coming days will likely prove pivotal in determining whether this strike serves as a deterrent — or the opening act of a much broader conflict.
