Fact Check: U.S. Strikes Targeted Three Nuclear Sites, Including Fordo, with Massive Bombs
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes targeting three nuclear facilities in Iran, specifically naming the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan sites. Reports indicate that these strikes resulted in "extremely severe damage and destruction" to the Natanz facility, while Fordow and Esfahan suffered "major damage" (source-2). President Trump claimed that the strikes were aimed at "completely and totally obliterating" Iran's nuclear capabilities, which he described as a military and diplomatic success (source-3).
Satellite images released by Planet Labs PBC confirmed the targeting of the Fordow facility, showing significant damage (source-1). The strikes were met with a variety of international reactions, ranging from condemnation by Iran and its allies to praise from Israeli officials, who viewed the action as a necessary step to eliminate a perceived existential threat (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. strikes targeted three nuclear sites, including Fordo, is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Wikipedia entry on the strikes provides a comprehensive overview of the events, confirming the specific sites targeted. The New York Times article corroborates this by quoting President Trump, who emphasized the destruction of these facilities (source-3).
The reliability of these sources is high; NPR is a well-respected news organization known for its thorough reporting, while the New York Times is one of the leading newspapers globally. Both outlets have a history of accurate reporting on international affairs. The information regarding the extent of damage to the facilities is also supported by reports from the Pentagon, which indicated that Iran's nuclear capabilities were significantly impacted by the strikes (source-6).
However, it is important to note that Iranian officials have downplayed the damage, claiming it was largely superficial (source-2). This discrepancy highlights the potential for bias in reporting from different national perspectives.
Conclusion
The claim that U.S. strikes targeted three nuclear sites, including Fordo, with massive bombs is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the strikes were executed as described, and the targeted facilities were indeed significant components of Iran's nuclear program. The reactions from various international actors further validate the seriousness of the situation and the implications of the strikes.
