Fact Check: Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses before U.S. bombers hit Iran.

Fact Check: "Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses before U.S. bombers hit Iran."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that on June 22, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, namely Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, as part of its military operations amid escalating tensions with Iran. The Pentagon confirmed that these strikes were executed in coordination with Israel, which has been engaged in military actions against Iran for some time (AP News, BBC). President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. had successfully "obliterated" these sites, although the Pentagon later clarified that the damage was "extremely severe" but not necessarily complete (BBC, New York Times).

The strikes were described as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, with Israeli officials asserting that they were in "full coordination" with the U.S. during the planning of these attacks (BBC, NPR). Reports suggest that the U.S. military used advanced weaponry, including bunker-buster bombs, to target these heavily fortified facilities (BBC, Reuters).

Analysis

The claim that "Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses before U.S. bombers hit Iran" is partially substantiated by the context of U.S.-Israel cooperation in military operations against Iran. While it is clear that the U.S. and Israel coordinated their military strategies, the specific assertion that Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses prior to the U.S. bombers' actions lacks direct evidence from credible sources. The reports primarily focus on the U.S. strikes and the coordination between the two nations but do not explicitly mention an order from Trump for Israel to act first (AP News, BBC).

Moreover, the nature of military operations often involves complex decision-making processes that may not be publicly detailed. The Pentagon's statements emphasize that the U.S. operation was not aimed at regime change and did not target Iranian troops or civilians, which suggests a more defensive posture rather than an aggressive preemptive strike by Israel (NPR, Reuters).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is generally high, as they include major news organizations like the Associated Press, BBC, and NPR, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the interpretation of events can vary, and some outlets may have biases based on their editorial slants.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses before U.S. bombers hit Iran" is Partially True. While there is evidence of coordination between the U.S. and Israel in military actions against Iran, the specific assertion regarding an order from Trump for Israel to strike first is not clearly supported by the available evidence. The situation is complex, involving multiple military strategies and decisions that are not fully disclosed in public reports.

Fact Check: Trump ordered Israel to strike Iranian air defenses before U.S. bombers hit Iran.