Trump Claims US Strike Obliterated Iran’s Nuclear Sites

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that American forces had conducted extensive airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, stating that the attacks had entirely destroyed sites central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. The move marks Washington’s formal military entry into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, a step that could significantly widen the scope of hostilities across the region.

In a televised statement from the White House, Trump said the coordinated military strikes were a success and warned of further actions unless Tehran quickly seeks a diplomatic resolution. He confirmed that the Fordo underground facility, as well as enrichment plants in Natanz and Isfahan, were hit. According to Trump, the destruction of these facilities was aimed at preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities, a development Washington has repeatedly stated it would not allow.

Strategic Strikes Follow Rapid Decision by White House

The air assault reportedly involved B-2 stealth bombers equipped with bunker-penetrating munitions, supported by submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles. Trump, flanked by senior national security officials including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announced that U.S. forces were safely en route back to their bases following the operation.

Trump said the strikes were ordered significantly earlier than his previously stated two-week deliberation window. Despite repeated criticisms of past U.S. military entanglements, the president made clear in his address that future actions could escalate further unless Iran returns to the negotiating table. However, no reference was made to regime change or direct action against Iranian leadership, despite earlier remarks targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Images released by the administration showed Trump in the White House Situation Room before the strikes, wearing his trademark red campaign hat and receiving final briefings. Following the broadcast, Trump issued a warning that any retaliatory attack by Iran or its proxies would be met with a strong response.

Iran Vows Response as Regional Tensions Rise

Iranian authorities confirmed that nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan had been targeted, although they reported no radioactive contamination. Iranian state television also announced the launch of missiles toward Israel shortly after the U.S. strikes, with explosions reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Tehran emphasized that its nuclear program remains civilian in nature, insisting that its right to nuclear development cannot be revoked by external pressure.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. intervention as unlawful and said Iran would use all available means to defend its sovereignty. President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that his government would respond if provoked further and criticized the U.S. move as escalating an already volatile situation.

In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that suicide drones had been deployed toward strategic Israeli locations, marking another escalation in the ongoing military exchange.

Domestic and International Fallout

The U.S. airstrikes have sparked political debate at home. While some Republicans aligned with Trump praised the move as a show of strength, others within the “Make America Great Again” faction expressed concern over renewed U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. Trump’s prior electoral success in 2016 was partially attributed to his pledges to withdraw from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and critics now question the consistency of his foreign policy.

Democratic leaders also voiced strong objections. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Trump risked dragging the U.S. into a broader and potentially uncontrollable war. He and other lawmakers criticized the president for bypassing congressional approval before initiating military operations against Iran.

Meanwhile, international observers noted that Trump’s decision followed intensified strikes between Israel and Iran since mid-June. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, welcomed the American involvement, praising it as a decisive moment that could shift the balance of power in the region.

Outlook for Regional Stability

The coordinated strikes represent the most direct U.S. military action against Iran since the assassination of Qassem Soleimani in early 2020. While Washington and its allies maintain that the goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and restore deterrence, Tehran has indicated it views the attacks as a direct violation of its sovereignty and is prepared to respond accordingly.

The current military exchange has also raised concerns over the security of U.S. personnel in the region. American bases in Iraq and Syria have previously come under fire from Iranian-backed groups, and U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea have faced repeated threats from Houthi forces aligned with Iran.