Fact Check: Trump claims US obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in airstrikes.

Fact Check: Trump Claims US Obliterated Three Iranian Nuclear Sites in Airstrikes

What We Know

On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump stated that the United States had successfully conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming that these sites were "completely and totally obliterated" (Washington Post, BBC). The targeted sites included Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, with Fordow being particularly significant due to its depth and the advanced munitions required to strike it effectively (BBC, Reuters).

The U.S. military reportedly utilized B-2 bombers and "bunker buster" bombs, specifically the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is designed to penetrate deep underground facilities (BBC). However, Iranian officials have contested the extent of the damage, asserting that the facilities had been evacuated prior to the strikes and that no significant impact was observed (BBC, NPR). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also reported no increase in radiation levels following the attacks (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that the U.S. obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites is partially true. While the airstrikes did target three significant nuclear facilities, the assertion that they were "obliterated" is misleading. The term "obliterated" implies complete destruction, which is not substantiated by available evidence.

Reports indicate that while the U.S. aimed to significantly damage Iran's nuclear capabilities, the Iranian government has maintained that the sites were not severely impacted. For instance, Iranian officials stated that materials had already been removed from the facilities prior to the strikes, which would mitigate the effectiveness of the attacks (BBC). Furthermore, experts have noted that the use of the GBU-57, while powerful, does not guarantee total destruction of such deep facilities (BBC).

Additionally, the IAEA's findings of no increased radiation levels suggest that the strikes did not result in catastrophic damage to the nuclear infrastructure as claimed by Trump (BBC). This discrepancy highlights the potential for political rhetoric to exaggerate military outcomes.

The sources used in this analysis vary in reliability. Major news outlets like the BBC and Reuters are generally credible, providing detailed reports based on official statements and expert analysis. However, Iranian state media may present a biased perspective, emphasizing their narrative to downplay the impact of the strikes.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in airstrikes is partially true. While the strikes did occur and targeted significant facilities, the assertion of complete destruction is not supported by evidence. The Iranian government has indicated that the facilities were not significantly damaged, and independent assessments from organizations like the IAEA corroborate this view. Therefore, while the airstrikes were a notable military action, the extent of their effectiveness is overstated in Trump's claim.

Fact Check: Trump claims US obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in airstrikes.