U.S. Launches Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities, Trump Confirms

The United States has launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, President Donald J. Trump confirmed Saturday evening in a statement posted on Truth Social.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," President Trump wrote. "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."

Strikes Follow Israeli Military Campaign

https://t.co/2OYrMFlw46 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2025

The U.S. airstrikes come on the heels of a weeklong Israeli assault on Iran’s air defense systems and missile infrastructure. While Israel has targeted Iran's military assets, U.S. officials have maintained that only American stealth bombers possess the capability to deliver the 30,000-lb. GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) required to penetrate heavily fortified nuclear sites like Fordow, which is buried deep underground.

B-2 Bombers Deployed from U.S. Soil

Multiple U.S. officials earlier confirmed to CBS News that B-2 Spirit bombers had departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri en route to Guam, a likely staging point for the long-range attack. These stealth aircraft are the only platforms capable of carrying and deploying the GBU-57, a bunker-buster designed specifically for hardened nuclear targets.

Iran Vows Retaliation

Iran had previously warned that any direct U.S. military involvement would cross a red line, promising severe retaliation. Iranian officials have yet to issue a formal response to tonight’s strikes, but analysts predict a range of countermeasures including cyber retaliation, proxy mobilization, or strikes on U.S. interests in the region.

Trump to Address the Nation

President Trump is expected to deliver a formal address at 10 p.m. ET, with CBS News providing live coverage. The airstrikes mark a significant shift for the Trump administration, which previously vowed to avoid entanglement in new overseas conflicts after reentering the White House.

Strategic Importance of Targets

• Fordow: A highly fortified uranium enrichment facility built into a mountain.

• Natanz: Iran’s primary enrichment facility, already targeted in past cyber and sabotage operations.

• Esfahan: Hosts facilities critical to Iran’s nuclear fuel production and military research.

A Historic Use of U.S. Firepower

This marks the first known deployment of the GBU-57 in an actual combat operation. Military analysts call the move “unprecedented” and suggest it signals a new phase of confrontation between the U.S., Israel, and Iran—one with global security implications.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.