Fact Check: The U.S. Conducted Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This military action was part of a broader conflict involving Iran and Israel, with the U.S. aiming to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons (source-1, source-3). The operation involved over 125 aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers that dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on the nuclear sites (source-3).
Initial assessments from U.S. intelligence indicated that the strikes had only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months, contrary to claims made by President Trump that the facilities had been "obliterated" (source-2, source-6).
Analysis
The evidence supports the claim that the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. Multiple credible sources, including reports from The New York Times and NPR, confirm that the strikes targeted specific facilities and involved advanced military technology. The operation was characterized as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with U.S. officials stating that the strikes aimed to hinder Iran's nuclear ambitions.
However, the effectiveness of the strikes is debated. While the U.S. government initially portrayed the operation as a success, subsequent intelligence assessments revealed that the damage inflicted was less severe than anticipated. Reports indicated that Iran had moved much of its enriched uranium prior to the strikes, allowing it to maintain a significant portion of its nuclear capabilities (source-1, source-4).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news organizations and official statements from military and intelligence officials. However, there is a potential for bias, particularly in the portrayal of the strikes' effectiveness, as some reports may reflect the political motivations of the Trump administration (source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites is True. The operation was confirmed by multiple credible sources, and while the effectiveness of the strikes is subject to debate, the action itself did occur as reported. The assessment of the damage and its implications for Iran's nuclear program continues to evolve, but the initial fact of the airstrikes is well-documented.
Sources
- US strikes may have set back Iran nuclear program only months, sources say
- Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months
- 4 things to know about the U.S. airstrikes on Iran
- What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
- United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
- US strikes failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites, intelligence assessment says