Fact Check: The US military has conducted operations to hinder Iran's nuclear program.

Fact Check: "The US military has conducted operations to hinder Iran's nuclear program."

What We Know

The claim that the U.S. military has conducted operations to hinder Iran's nuclear program is substantiated by multiple sources. On June 22, 2025, the U.S. military executed a significant operation known as "Operation Midnight Hammer," targeting three critical Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This operation involved the deployment of advanced weaponry, including 30,000-pound GBU-57 "Massive Ordnance Penetrator" bombs, which were specifically designed to penetrate hardened targets such as underground nuclear facilities (Hegseth, Caine Laud Success of U.S. Strike on Iran Nuke Sites, Historically Successful Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...).

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the operation aimed to neutralize threats posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and was not intended for regime change (Hegseth, Caine Laud Success of U.S. Strike on Iran Nuke Sites). Initial assessments indicated that the strikes inflicted "extremely severe damage and destruction" on the targeted sites, effectively hindering Iran's nuclear capabilities (Historically Successful Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it is corroborated by official statements from U.S. military leaders and detailed reports of the operation. The U.S. Central Command reported that the strikes were executed with precision and involved extensive planning over 15 years, indicating a long-term strategy to address Iran's nuclear threat (Historically Successful Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...).

However, some sources provide a contrasting perspective. Early intelligence assessments suggest that while the strikes were significant, they may have only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months rather than obliterating it entirely (US strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, ..., US strikes did not destroy Iran nuclear programme, says ... - BBC). This indicates that while the operations were impactful, their long-term effectiveness in completely hindering Iran's nuclear ambitions remains debatable.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include official military briefings and reputable news organizations. However, it is important to note that some reports may carry inherent biases, particularly those from government sources that may emphasize success to justify military actions.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. military has conducted operations to hinder Iran's nuclear program is True. The execution of Operation Midnight Hammer demonstrates a clear military initiative aimed at disrupting Iran's nuclear capabilities, supported by official statements and operational details. While the extent of the damage and its long-term implications may vary according to different assessments, the fundamental action taken by the U.S. military aligns with the claim.

Sources

1. Hegseth, Caine Laud Success of U.S. Strike on Iran Nuke Sites
2. 'Historically Successful' Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...
3. United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Wikipedia
4. Iran's Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated
5. How do we know if US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities ...
6. US strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, ...
7. US strikes did not destroy Iran nuclear programme, says ... - BBC
8. Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few ...