Fact Check: "Trump claims Iran's uranium enrichment sites were 'completely and totally obliterated.'"
What We Know
On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. military had successfully conducted airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites, claiming they were "completely and totally obliterated" (Reuters). The sites targeted included Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, which are critical to Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. Initial assessments from Pentagon officials indicated that while the strikes caused "severe damage," it was too early to determine if Iran retained any nuclear enrichment capacity (New York Times, BBC).
The U.S. military employed advanced weaponry, including B-2 bombers and bunker-buster bombs, to penetrate the fortified facilities (Washington Post, NBC News). However, Iranian officials denied that the strikes had dealt a significant blow to their nuclear program, asserting that the facilities remained operational (Reuters, USA Today).
Analysis
Trump's assertion that the Iranian nuclear sites were "obliterated" is misleading. While the strikes did cause extensive damage, the Pentagon's initial assessments suggest that the facilities were not completely destroyed. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that all three sites sustained "extremely severe damage," but emphasized that a final assessment would take time (BBC, NBC News).
Furthermore, reports indicate that Iran may have relocated some equipment, including uranium, prior to the strikes (New York Times). This raises questions about the effectiveness of the airstrikes in eliminating Iran's nuclear capabilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not reported any increases in radiation levels around the sites, which could imply that Iran's enrichment activities were not entirely halted (New York Times).
The sources cited are generally credible, with major news organizations like Reuters, the BBC, and NBC News providing detailed coverage of the events. However, the framing of Trump's claims may vary, with some outlets emphasizing the potential for continued Iranian nuclear activity despite the strikes (USA Today).
Conclusion
The claim that Iran's uranium enrichment sites were "completely and totally obliterated" is Partially True. While the U.S. airstrikes inflicted significant damage on the facilities, they did not completely destroy them, and evidence suggests that Iran may still retain some nuclear enrichment capabilities. The initial assessments from military officials and the lack of reported radiation increases indicate that the situation is more complex than Trump's assertion implies.
Sources
- Trump says Iran's key nuclear sites 'obliterated' by US airstrikes
- Iran Live Updates: Trump Officials Cast Strikes on Nuclear Sites as ...
- World awaits Iranian response after US hits nuclear sites
- What we know about US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
- Trump says key Iranian nuclear facilities 'totally obliterated' in U.S ...
- U.S. strikes Iranian nuclear sites in targeted attack, Trump says
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP
- Trump says Iran's nuclear sites were 'obliterated.' Were they?
