Here’s what we know about Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “totally obliterated” by U.S. strikes:
What U.S. Officials Say
- On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces carried out massive precision strikes on Iran’s main nuclear enrichment sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using B‑2 stealth bombers dropping GBU‑57 bunker-busters and Tomahawk cruise missiles
- Trump described the mission as a “spectacular military success”, stating that “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated”
- He warned Iran: “Either peace or tragedy…many targets left”, emphasizing further strikes if Iran retaliates
Why It Matters
- Fordow is a deeply buried, highly fortified underground site—experts agree only heavy bunker-busters like the GBU‑57 could potentially destroy it
- U.S. claims include six GBU‑57s dropped on Fordow (plus additional bombs/missiles on Natanz and Isfahan)
- This marks a significant escalation—direct U.S. intervention alongside Israeli strikes—raising serious concerns about regional war and nuclear escalation
Verification & Independent Assessment
- No independent confirmation yet: Iran’s own nuclear authority reports no radiation leak, and outside bodies like the IAEA haven’t verified the extent of damage
- Experts caution that destroying all underground infrastructure at Fordow or Natanz is exceedingly difficult, even with bunker-busters
- International law experts question the legality of preemptive strikes, noting a lack of imminent threat to the U.S.—“virtually impossible” to justify under UN rules
Bottom Line
Trump’s statement—that Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites are “completely obliterated”—is the official U.S. narrative. However:
- Those claims haven’t been independently confirmed.
- The technical challenge of fully destroying deeply buried facilities remains high.
- The operation raises significant geopolitical and legal concerns moving forward.