The United States has directly entered the fray against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, launching coordinated airstrikes on three key facilities. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, marking a significant escalation in support of Israel’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The move raises the stakes in an already volatile region, as Tehran has vowed retribution that could further destabilize the Middle East.
Over the past several days, Israel has carried out a series of precision air raids targeting Iran’s military assets, particularly its missile systems and nuclear infrastructure. However, American defense officials determined that only the U.S. possesses the advanced aircraft and powerful ordnance—namely, stealth bombers equipped with 30,000-pound bunker-busting munitions—capable of neutralizing deeply buried nuclear sites.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump said in a social media statement. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. 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 air campaign places the United States in a precarious position, risking open conflict with the Iranian regime. It also puts Trump in a politically complicated spot, having long portrayed himself as a leader determined to avoid foreign military entanglements and the costly aftermath they bring.
Reports from Iranian state media began surfacing shortly after the airstrikes. According to IRNA, Iran’s official news agency, nuclear facilities in both Isfahan and Natanz came under attack during the operation.
Akbar Salehi, the deputy security governor for Isfahan, acknowledged activity around nuclear sites in the province but did not provide further details. Meanwhile, other Iranian officials confirmed that the underground Fordow nuclear site had also been struck.
Fox News anchor Sean Hannity revealed during his broadcast that he had spoken to Trump and was told that six “bunker-buster” bombs had been dropped on Fordow. Hannity also reported that 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from U.S. submarines stationed roughly 400 miles away, targeting Isfahan and Natanz.
IRNA later confirmed damage at Fordow, quoting officials in Qom province who reported that “a few hours ago, when Qom air defenses were activated and hostile targets were identified, part of the Fordo nuclear site was attacked by enemies.”
The statement did not clarify the extent of the damage.
Tasnim, a news agency with close ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, echoed reports of anti-aircraft fire in the area surrounding Fordow, though it offered no additional confirmation of the assault’s outcome.
Fars News Agency, another outlet aligned with the Guard, cited officials who said air defense units engaged targets near Isfahan, where multiple explosions were reportedly heard. The same report quoted a Qom province source describing defensive fire near Fordow.
The U.S.-led strike could trigger renewed hostilities with the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Tehran’s remaining regional proxy with the operational capacity to threaten international shipping lanes. Just hours before the attack, the Houthis warned that if the U.S. directly joined Israeli operations, they would resume targeting American vessels in the Red Sea.
Several members of the U.S. Senate voiced strong support for Trump’s decision. “Well done, President Trump,” wrote Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas commended what he described as a “courageous decision,” while Alabama Senator Katie Britt praised the airstrikes as “strong and surgical.” Oklahoma’s Sen. Markwayne Mullin simply wrote, “America first, always.”
Unexpectedly, even across the aisle, there was praise. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania declared, “As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.”
Not everyone in Congress was on board, however. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky objected to the move, writing: “This is not Constitutional.” Massie has long opposed American intervention in foreign wars.
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