In a bold and potentially perilous military maneuver, the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday, marking its direct entry into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The strikes, which targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, represent a major escalation in regional tensions, with the White House declaring them a decisive move against a persistent adversary.
Speaking from the White House, President Donald Trump addressed the nation and declared the targeted Iranian nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated.”
However, independent verification of the damage remains unavailable.
Whether the United States will continue its military campaign in conjunction with Israel’s efforts remains uncertain. Israel has been at war with Iran for nine days, focusing on dismantling Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities.
Trump, who bypassed congressional approval for the strikes, warned of further attacks should Tehran retaliate against American forces.
“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” he stated.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X, stating that the U.S. assault “will have everlasting consequences” and declared that Tehran “reserves all options” for retaliation.
At the United Nations, Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned the attacks, urging the Security Council to convene an emergency meeting.
He described the U.S. action as “heinous attacks and illegal use of force,” and in a letter obtained by the Associated Press, he urged the body to “take all necessary measures” to hold the U.S. accountable under the U.N. charter and international law.
The International Atomic Energy Agency later reported via X that “no increase in off-site radiation levels” had been detected at the impacted sites.
Shortly after the U.S. strikes, Israel issued a public alert warning of an Iranian missile launch and urged residents to seek shelter. Sirens were heard across Jerusalem, followed by a series of loud explosions.
Iran has been launching missile barrages at Israel since hostilities began, though recent attacks have decreased in frequency as Israeli forces continue targeting Tehran’s missile infrastructure.
Intelligence analysts believe Iran might be conserving some of its arsenal for future use.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran acknowledged that Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz were struck but insisted the country’s nuclear program remains undeterred. Officials also stated there was no radiation risk to nearby populations.
While Iran maintains its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, U.S. intelligence agencies do not currently assess Tehran as actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Nevertheless, both Trump and Israeli officials argue that Iran remains dangerously close to developing a bomb.
The U.S. involvement follows extensive Israeli strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
American officials justified the operation by citing the unique capabilities of U.S. B-2 stealth bombers and their exclusive use of the 30,000-pound bunker-buster GBU-57 bomb, capable of penetrating fortified underground nuclear sites.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump announced on social media. “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.”
He followed with another post: “This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, lauded the American intervention in a video message addressed to Trump.
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history,” Netanyahu said. “The U.S. has done what no other country on earth could do.”
In response to the unfolding situation, Israel closed its airspace to all flights. The broader Middle East has experienced significant disruption to air travel as the conflict expands.
While neither the Pentagon nor the White House immediately released full details of the strikes, an official confirmed that bunker-buster bombs were used against the Fordo facility, which lies deep within a mountain.
The bomb is designed to penetrate hundreds of feet before detonation. U.S. submarines also launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles, according to another source familiar with the operation.
The decision to strike comes with immense geopolitical and personal risks for Trump, who campaigned on promises to avoid entangling the U.S. in foreign wars.
The action has drawn concern from the international community, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who issued a warning.
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” Guterres said.
Despite ruling out the deployment of U.S. ground troops, Trump has signaled readiness for further airstrikes if necessary.
“It’s the last thing you want to do,” he told reporters on Friday.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had earlier cautioned Washington that “strikes targeting the Islamic Republic will result in irreparable damage for them.” Similarly, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei labeled any American intervention as “a recipe for an all-out war in the region.”
For months, Trump’s administration pursued diplomatic solutions to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Twice,in April and again in late May, he reportedly persuaded Netanyahu to delay Israeli strikes in favor of further talks.
But after those efforts failed, Trump appears to have embraced a more aggressive stance.
Israeli officials claim their recent offensives have severely weakened Iran’s air defenses, paving the way for successful U.S. strikes on deeply buried nuclear facilities.
To penetrate the heavily fortified Fordo site, Israel requested the U.S. deploy its GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bunker-buster bomb capable of boring through up to 200 feet (61 meters) of earth. Only the U.S. Air Force possesses the aircraft capable of delivering this bomb, the B-2 stealth bomber.
Sunday marked the first time the weapon was used in combat.
The IAEA confirmed that highly enriched uranium was being produced at Fordo and warned of the potential for localized radioactive exposure if the GBU-57 was deployed. Past Israeli attacks on Iran’s Natanz facility led to contamination within the site but not in surrounding areas.
Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group, estimates Israeli strikes on Iran have left at least 865 dead and 3,396 injured. Among the dead are at least 363 civilians and 215 security personnel.
Trump’s pivot to direct military action followed weeks of failed diplomacy, during which his administration sought a negotiated halt to Iran’s enrichment activities.
His shift also comes seven years after he withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal brokered during the Obama administration — a deal he labeled the “worst ever.”
The original agreement, signed by Iran, the U.S., and several global powers, sought to limit Tehran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting sanctions.
Trump’s opposition stemmed from the deal’s failure to address Iran’s regional aggression and missile programs.
Trump has faced pushback from isolationist factions within his MAGA base, who view further military engagement as a betrayal of his promises.
However, under mounting pressure from Israeli officials and Republican allies, he appears to have concluded that this moment presented a rare opportunity to significantly weaken Iran’s nuclear potential.
Meanwhile, the specter of broader conflict looms. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to resume attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if American involvement in the war persists. A prior agreement with the U.S. had paused those operations.
Although White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had stated Thursday that a decision on airstrikes would be made within two weeks, Trump launched the assault just two days later.
