Fact Check: Trump claims bombing Iran destroyed its rogue nuclear program.

Fact Check: Trump Claims Bombing Iran Destroyed Its Rogue Nuclear Program

What We Know

On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military strikes had targeted and "completely and fully obliterated" key Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming that these actions had delivered a significant blow to Iran's nuclear program (AP News). The strikes involved the use of advanced munitions, including 30,000-pound bunker busters, aimed at Iran's heavily fortified nuclear sites, particularly at Fordo and Natanz (New York Times).

Trump's assertion that the strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities was echoed by some U.S. officials, who indicated that the attacks were intended to significantly degrade Iran's capacity to enrich uranium (Reuters). However, Iranian officials responded by stating that the damage was "not irreversible," suggesting that the strikes may not have completely dismantled their nuclear program (New York Times).

Analysis

While Trump's claims of a decisive victory against Iran's nuclear program are bold, the evidence suggests a more nuanced reality. The U.S. military's use of sophisticated weaponry and coordination with Israeli forces indicates a serious attempt to disrupt Iran's nuclear capabilities (Washington Post). However, the acknowledgment from Iranian officials that the facilities were evacuated prior to the strikes raises questions about the effectiveness of the attacks. Mehdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iran's Parliament, stated that the damage was not permanent, which undermines Trump's assertion of total destruction (New York Times).

Moreover, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no increase in radiation levels outside the targeted sites, suggesting that while the strikes were significant, they may not have achieved the intended goal of completely neutralizing Iran's nuclear ambitions (AP News). The mixed reactions from U.S. lawmakers, with some supporting the strikes as a necessary measure against Iran's nuclear threats and others condemning them as unconstitutional, further illustrate the contentious nature of this military action (New York Times).

Conclusion

The claim that bombing Iran destroyed its rogue nuclear program is Partially True. While the U.S. military strikes did target significant nuclear facilities and were intended to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities, the evidence indicates that the damage may not be as comprehensive as Trump suggested. Iranian officials have claimed that the facilities were not irreparably harmed, and the IAEA found no immediate evidence of increased nuclear activity. Therefore, while the strikes were a substantial military action, they did not definitively dismantle Iran's nuclear program.