US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites: What We Know About the Strikes
Escalation hits new high as US uses bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities
In a dramatic military escalation, the United States has launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, claiming a “successful” attack that allegedly left the sites “completely obliterated,” according to President Donald Trump.
The strikes—which targeted Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—come amid ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Israeli officials confirmed they were “in full coordination” with the US on the mission, while Iran acknowledged the strikes but denied suffering any significant damage.
What was targeted?
The primary target was Fordo, an underground uranium enrichment site located deep within a mountainside south of Tehran. It’s a vital component of Iran’s nuclear program and is known for being heavily fortified. Also hit were the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities.
According to US media, the strikes employed GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs)—nicknamed “bunker busters”—which are designed to penetrate deep underground. Each MOP weighs about 13,000kg and can smash through up to 18 meters of concrete or 61 meters of earth.
While it's unclear how much damage was inflicted, Fordo’s reinforced tunnels may have made it a tough nut to crack—even for the MOP.
Fallout and responses
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization slammed the attacks as a “barbaric violation of international law,” while Saudi Arabia and the UN nuclear watchdog reported no spikes in radiation levels.
Iranian state media claimed that the nuclear materials had already been moved from the sites prior to the attack, minimizing the impact. “We didn’t suffer a major blow,” said Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran’s state-run broadcaster.
Still, Trump declared the sites “completely and totally obliterated” in a national address—though military experts, including former US Assistant Secretary of State Mark Kimmitt, expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the strikes.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning, saying the country would consider “all options” in retaliation, and that the US should brace for “everlasting consequences.”
This move marks a bold—and highly controversial—shift in the ongoing power struggle in the region.
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