Fact Check: The U.S. has conducted military operations against Iranian nuclear sites.

Fact Check: The U.S. has conducted military operations against Iranian nuclear sites

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, the United States military executed a series of airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities: the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center. This operation, known as "Operation Midnight Hammer," involved the use of 30,000-pound GBU-57 "massive ordnance penetrator" bombs, specifically designed to penetrate deep underground structures (Defense.gov, Wikipedia).

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that this operation was a significant success, claiming it "decimated" Iran's nuclear capabilities and created conditions for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel (Defense.gov). The operation was described as the culmination of 15 years of planning and development, aimed at neutralizing Iran's ability to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons (Defense.gov, BBC).

Reports indicate that the strikes caused "extremely severe damage" to the targeted sites, with the U.S. military asserting that the Natanz facility was destroyed and the Fordow and Isfahan sites suffered major damage (Wikipedia, NPR). However, Iranian officials have downplayed the impact, claiming that the damage was "superficial" and did not result in irreversible harm (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that the U.S. has conducted military operations against Iranian nuclear sites is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The operation was widely reported across various news outlets, including NPR, BBC, and AP News. Each of these sources corroborates the details of the strikes, including the specific targets and the types of munitions used.

The credibility of the information is further supported by official statements from U.S. military leaders, including Defense Secretary Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, who provided detailed accounts of the operation and its objectives (Defense.gov, Defense.gov). The operation's planning and execution were described as highly complex, involving extensive collaboration among military and intelligence agencies over many years.

However, it is important to note that the portrayal of the operation's success varies between U.S. and Iranian narratives. While U.S. officials emphasize the destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities, Iranian sources claim the damage was minimal and that their nuclear program remains intact (Wikipedia, New York Times). This discrepancy highlights the potential for bias in reporting, as both sides have vested interests in framing the narrative in a way that supports their political agendas.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. has conducted military operations against Iranian nuclear sites is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the U.S. military executed targeted strikes on significant Iranian nuclear facilities as part of a broader military strategy. The operation's details, including the use of advanced munitions and the extent of damage inflicted, are well-documented and supported by official statements from military leaders.

Sources

1. 'Historically Successful' Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...
2. United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Wikipedia
3. Hegseth, Caine Laud Success of U.S. Strike on Iran Nuke Sites
4. The global implications of the US strikes on Iran
5. What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
6. U.S. strikes 3 nuclear sites in Iran
7. Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few ...
8. What to know about the Iranian nuclear sites that were hit by US strikes