Fact Check: "Trump bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, claiming to destroy their capabilities."
What We Know
On June 21, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. President Trump claimed that these strikes resulted in the "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear capabilities, asserting that "monumental damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran" as evidenced by satellite images (source-1). The U.S. military used 30,000-pound GBU-57 "massive ordnance penetrator" bombs, which were specifically designed to penetrate deep underground facilities (source-2).
Military officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, reported that the strikes caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure, with assessments indicating that the attacks set back Iran's nuclear program by several years (source-2, source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Trump bombed three Iranian nuclear sites and destroyed their capabilities is supported by multiple military and government officials, who assert that the strikes were highly successful. For instance, the Israel Atomic Energy Commission stated that the U.S. strike on Fordow destroyed critical infrastructure and rendered the facility inoperable (source-1). Furthermore, the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, confirmed that the operation was a "resounding success," indicating that key Iranian capabilities were obliterated (source-1).
However, some reports suggest that the extent of the damage may not be as severe as claimed. A preliminary classified U.S. report indicated that while the strikes did cause damage, they may have only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few years (source-4). Additionally, a Reuters report stated that the strikes did not completely destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities, implying that the Iranian program could recover more quickly than U.S. officials suggested (source-5).
The reliability of the sources varies. Official statements from military and government officials are typically credible, but they may also reflect a bias towards portraying the operation as a success. In contrast, independent media reports may provide a more cautious assessment of the situation, highlighting potential overstatements in the official narrative.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump bombed three Iranian nuclear sites and asserted the destruction of their capabilities is True. While there are conflicting reports regarding the extent of the damage and the long-term implications for Iran's nuclear program, the consensus among U.S. military officials is that significant damage was inflicted, which has set back Iran's nuclear capabilities. The official statements from military leaders lend credibility to the assertion that the strikes were successful in achieving their immediate objectives.
Sources
- Iran's Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated
- 'Historically Successful' Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was ...
- U.S. strikes 3 nuclear sites in Iran
- Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few ...
- US strikes failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites, intelligence ...
- Israel and Iran Trade New Rounds of Attacks
