Fact Check: Trump claims U.S. obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in military strikes.

Fact Check: Trump Claims U.S. Obliterated Three Iranian Nuclear Sites in Military Strikes

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had successfully conducted military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He claimed these sites were "obliterated" as part of a coordinated operation with Israel (BBC, NY Times). The operation involved 125 U.S. military aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, and was characterized by the use of advanced munitions such as GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (BBC).

Initial assessments from U.S. military officials indicated that all three sites sustained "extremely severe damage and destruction" (BBC, NPR). However, Iranian officials responded by stating that while the facilities were indeed struck, they had not suffered a major blow, claiming that critical materials had been evacuated prior to the attacks (NY Times, CNN).

Satellite imagery taken shortly after the strikes showed evidence of damage at the Fordow site, including craters likely caused by the munitions used (NY Times, Reuters). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no increase in radiation levels following the attacks (BBC).

Analysis

While Trump's assertion that the U.S. "obliterated" the Iranian nuclear sites is partially supported by military reports of severe damage, the term "obliterated" implies complete destruction, which is not substantiated by available evidence. U.S. military officials have acknowledged that it is too early to determine the full extent of the damage or whether Iran retains any nuclear enrichment capacity (NY Times, NPR).

The Iranian government has downplayed the impact of the strikes, suggesting that critical components were removed from the sites before the attacks, which raises questions about the effectiveness of the operation (BBC, Reuters). Furthermore, the characterization of the strikes as a "focused mission" rather than a declaration of war indicates a strategic approach rather than an outright obliteration of Iran's nuclear capabilities (NY Times).

The reliability of the sources varies; while major news outlets like the BBC and NPR provide credible reporting, the claims made by Iranian officials may be influenced by political motivations to minimize the perceived impact of the strikes. Thus, while there is evidence of significant damage, the claim of total obliteration is exaggerated.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in military strikes is Partially True. While the strikes did result in severe damage to the facilities, the assertion of complete destruction is not supported by the evidence, particularly given Iranian claims of preemptive evacuations and ongoing assessments of the sites' operational status. The situation remains complex, with both sides presenting narratives that serve their strategic interests.

Fact Check: Trump claims U.S. obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites in military strikes.