Fact Check: US strikes severely damaged all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

Fact Check: "US strikes severely damaged all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites."

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear sites: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. According to reports from the Pentagon, the strikes were part of "Operation Midnight Hammer" and involved the use of significant munitions, including 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs (AP News). Initial assessments indicated that the Natanz site was "destroyed," while Fordow and Isfahan sustained "major damage" (Wikipedia).

However, Iranian officials claimed that the damage was "quite superficial" and that there was no irreversible harm to their nuclear capabilities (Wikipedia). Satellite imagery analyzed by various news outlets showed visible craters at the Natanz site, suggesting significant impact, but the extent of the damage remains contested (Washington Post).

Analysis

The claim that the U.S. strikes "severely damaged all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites" is nuanced. While U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, asserted that the strikes resulted in "monumental damage" to Iran's nuclear infrastructure (AP News), Iranian sources contradicted this by stating that the damage was minimal and did not affect their operational capabilities (Wikipedia).

The credibility of the sources reporting on the damage varies. U.S. military assessments tend to emphasize the success of the strikes, likely reflecting a narrative of deterrence against Iran. Conversely, Iranian statements may be influenced by the need to maintain national morale and assert resilience in the face of foreign aggression.

Independent analyses, including satellite imagery interpretations, suggest that while there was observable damage, the extent of disruption to Iran's nuclear program is still unclear. Reports indicate that the sites could potentially recover from the strikes, especially if they had preemptively moved materials (NPR).

Thus, while there is evidence of significant damage, the assertion that all three sites were "severely damaged" is not universally accepted and is subject to interpretation based on the perspective of the reporting entities.

Conclusion

The claim that "US strikes severely damaged all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites" is Partially True. There is credible evidence that the strikes caused substantial damage, particularly to the Natanz facility, but Iranian officials contest the severity of the damage, asserting it was superficial. The conflicting narratives highlight the complexities of assessing military actions and their impacts, especially in a politically charged environment.

Fact Check: US strikes severely damaged all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites.