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US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Inflicted ‘Extremely Severe Damage’: Pentagon
The U.S. is still conducting final damage assessments as Vice President Vance said the strikes ’substantially delayed' Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon.
The Department of State in Washington on March 28, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
The Department of State in Washington on March 28, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
The State Department has issued a security alert for U.S. citizens living abroad in the wake of the escalation of the Israel–Iran conflict, following U.S. intervention targeting Iran’s nuclear sites.
In a June 22 alert, the department warned of potential demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests around the world. On June 21, U.S. forces launched airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, which came amid the exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran.
“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” the bulletin stated, advising U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise “increased caution.”
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordow enrichment facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via AP
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Fordow enrichment facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via AP
Iran’s most critical and heavily fortified nuclear site is located at Fordow, a mountainous region roughly 60 miles southwest of the Iranian capital of Tehran.
That site, along with Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility and its Isfahan nuclear technology center, were hit in a series of U.S. airstrikes on Saturday evening intended to destroy, or otherwise significantly set back, Iran’s nuclear program.
The Iranian regime built the core of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant 260 feet deep inside a mountain to protect it from airstrikes. The site contains advanced uranium centrifuge cascades, which are necessary for producing the fuel needed to create nuclear warheads.
The skyline of Manhattan as seen from the One World Trade Center Tower in New York City on June 15, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
The skyline of Manhattan as seen from the One World Trade Center Tower in New York City on June 15, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Three major U.S. cities indicated that they’re on heightened alert following U.S. military airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21.
In an announcement on the night of June 21, President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. military carried out bombing missions targeting three facilities, prompting threats from Iranian officials.
“We’re tracking the situation unfolding in Iran,” the New York City Police Department stated in a post on social media platform X on the evening of June 21. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites across NYC [New York City] and coordinating with our federal partners. We’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”
Vance: Trump Admin Wants ‘No Boots on the Ground’ in Iran
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Situation Room on June 21, 2025. Courtesy of The White House
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Situation Room on June 21, 2025. Courtesy of The White House
Vice President JD Vance indicated that the Trump administration doesn’t want to place U.S. troops on the ground in Iran, following airstrikes targeting the country’s nuclear program on Saturday night.
“Mr. Vice President, can you rule out that getting involved in this conflict won’t eventually lead to U.S. boots on the ground,” NBC News reporter Kristen Welker asked Vance in an interview Sunday.
Vance replied that President Donald Trump has been “very clear” that the United States has “no interest in a protracted conflict” with Iran.
Iran Says ‘All Options’ on Table for Response to US Strikes on Nuclear Facilities
Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
Iran reserves “all options” to respond to U.S. military strikes on its nuclear facilities on Saturday night, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Sunday morning.
In a statement released on social media, Araqchi said that the strikes “are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences.”
He said Iran now “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people” in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
Illustration by The Epoch Times, Reuters, Shutterstock
Illustration by The Epoch Times, Reuters, Shutterstock
WASHINGTON—The U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight on June 21–22 followed a highly intricate plan that entailed more than 125 U.S. aircraft and warships and layers of deception, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Pentagon news briefing.
Hegseth said preparation for the mission—dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer—took place over the course of weeks and months, “so that we could be ready when the president of the United States called.”
The U.S. strikes were made a week after Israel launched a series of surprise airstrikes across Iran, aimed at degrading the country’s nuclear programs and military capabilities.
‘We’ll Defend Our People’ If Iran Hits US Targets in Middle East: Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations | Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by John McDonnell/Getty Images
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe in the Situation Room on June 21, 2025. Courtesy of the White House
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the White House in Washington on June 21, 2025. Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the White House in Washington on June 21, 2025. Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images
On June 21, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had taken part in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, putting an end to weeks of speculation about how the White House would respond to the threat posed by a nuclear-capable Iran.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The move prompted domestic and international reactions. Here’s what to know.
Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’
Trump said during an address to the nation that U.S. strikes had “completely and totally obliterated” three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan (also spelled Esfahan).
Hegseth Says US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites an ‘Incredible and Overwhelming Success’
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025. Carlos Barria/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025. Carlos Barria/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
In a White House address on the evening of June 21, President Donald Trump touted the success of a series of U.S. strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, and warned of even greater attacks to come should Iran choose to retaliate.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,” Trump announced.
The strikes mark a direct U.S. foray into a military campaign that Israel started a week earlier, in a surprise attack in the early morning hours on June 13. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had cast his country’s surprise operation as a move to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and defang its offensive nuclear capabilities.
Trump Commends Teamwork With Netanyahu in Iran Strikes
President Donald Trump said during a late-night address to the American people that Iran would face “far greater” attacks than it had earlier on Saturday if the nation didn’t make peace.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said, flanked by the vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense. “If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the White House on June 21, 2025. Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images
Trump Says Iranian Nuclear Sites ‘Completely and Totally Obliterated’
U.S. warplanes dropped bombs on Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility and two other Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
The president said the U.S. aircraft have already exited Iranian airspace and are now returning home.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” Trump’s statement reads.
Israeli aircraft first began striking Iran on June 13, as part of an operation to halt Iran’s nuclear program and defang its offensive military capabilities.
The uranium enrichment facility at Fordow had been one of the top targets remaining in Israel’s ongoing campaign of air strikes on Iran. The facility is heavily fortified, buried hundreds of feet underground in a mountainous area of Iran.
“Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this,” he added.
The strikes came just hours after reports emerged that U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers had departed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, heading west.
Trump did not immediately specify exactly what types of U.S. aircraft were involved in the strikes. However, the B-2 is the only aircraft equipped to carry and deploy a 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb known as the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator that can reach Fordow.
Trump spoke with Fox News host Sean Hannity following the strike and, according to Hannity, described B-2 bombers dropping five or six heavy bunker-busting bombs on Fordow.
According to Hannity, the president also described U.S. submarines located some 400 miles away, launching a salvo of 30 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles at Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan.
While Trump had voiced support for the Israeli operation and said that Iran must not be able to obtain a nuclear weapon, he had avoided directly involving the U.S. military in the burgeoning Middle East flash point for more than a week.
On June 19, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would decide within the next two weeks whether the United States would join in military action against Iran.
“I have a message directly from the president, and I quote: ‘Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,’” Leavitt said at a White House press briefing.
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