President Donald Trump announced Saturday evening that U.S. forces had carried out coordinated airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — in what he described as a “very successful attack.”
The strikes mark the first direct American military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure and come amid rising regional instability fueled by a series of retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are now outside of Iran air space and safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors.”
Targets: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan
The Fordow facility, located deep within a mountain near Qom, has long been considered one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites. Analysts have speculated for years that only specialized “bunker-buster” munitions could penetrate its hardened structure. While the White House has not confirmed the types of munitions used in Saturday’s raid, military experts have pointed to the likely deployment of GBU-57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator” bombs capable of striking deeply buried targets.
The other two sites, Natanz and Isfahan, are central to Iran’s uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel processing operations. Natanz, previously targeted by Israeli cyber operations and sabotage efforts, has been a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Isfahan is home to a major uranium conversion facility and research infrastructure.
Iran has yet to issue a formal response to the attack, though early satellite images posted by open-source intelligence accounts suggest significant structural damage at at least one of the targeted sites.
Strategic Timing and Political Calculations
The U.S. action came just days after Trump said he would decide “in the next two weeks” whether to support Israeli military operations against Iran. That window appeared to narrow rapidly as diplomacy faltered and new intelligence assessments reportedly showed Iran accelerating uranium enrichment.
Senior U.S. officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the operation, said the airstrikes were intended to “eliminate imminent threats” from facilities that could bring Iran to nuclear breakout within weeks.
In a follow-up post, Trump stated, “There is not another military in the world that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
He is expected to deliver a national address at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Domestic Reactions: Divisions Within Trump’s Base
While Trump has long opposed a nuclear-armed Iran, the decision to launch direct military strikes has sparked debate among his own political allies. Prominent “America First” voices, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, had urged caution, warning against another foreign entanglement that could mirror past U.S. interventions in the Middle East.
“This move risks drawing the United States into another endless war,” Greene said in a statement released shortly after Trump’s announcement. “We must put American lives and priorities first.”
Still, many national security hawks and longtime Trump allies praised the move as a show of strength.
A Rapidly Shifting Regional Landscape
Tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into open conflict earlier this month, when Israeli airstrikes targeted several Iranian nuclear and military installations, reportedly killing multiple senior Iranian commanders. That attack, unclaimed but widely attributed to Israel, triggered retaliatory missile fire into northern Israel and threatened to expand into a wider regional war.
Although the United States did not participate in Israel’s initial strikes, the Pentagon reportedly raised alert levels in the region in anticipation of potential Iranian reprisals.
U.S. forces in the Middle East remain on high alert, and the Department of Defense has increased naval and aerial presence near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies.
What Comes Next?
While Trump has declared the operation a military success, its long-term consequences remain unclear. Iranian retaliation — whether through direct strikes, cyberattacks, or proxy militias — is a significant risk. The attack may also upend ongoing nuclear negotiations, which had been stalled but not entirely abandoned.
A senior administration official said the U.S. is “prepared for a range of Iranian responses” and has consulted with NATO allies to ensure coordination in case of further escalation.
In his Saturday address, Trump is expected to explain the decision-making process behind the strikes, outline next steps, and attempt to reassure the American public that the operation is a preemptive action aimed at ensuring peace — not a prelude to broader conflict.
Whether the world views it that way may depend on what happens next in Tehran.
