In a historic and potentially world-altering development, former President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social Saturday that U.S. military forces carried out a targeted and “very successful” operation against three of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” Trump declared. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space.”
Trump added that he would address the nation in a televised speech at 10 p.m. Eastern, calling the moment “historic” and demanding that Iran “agree to end this war.”
The Targets: Inside Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
The three nuclear sites targeted in the strike represent the core of Iran’s controversial nuclear program, long accused of pursuing atomic weapons under the guise of energy development.
1. Natanz:
Located approximately 150 miles south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran’s largest and most developed uranium enrichment facility. It features extensive above-ground and underground infrastructure, including two underground halls capable of housing 50,000 centrifuges. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) previously confirmed Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% purity at Natanz—just shy of the 90% required for weapons-grade uranium.
2. Fordow:
Fordow is one of the most secretive and heavily fortified nuclear installations in the world, buried deep in the mountains near the holy city of Qom. Israeli intelligence years ago revealed blueprints of the site, showing that its primary centrifuge halls lie nearly 300 feet underground. Only the United States possesses bunker-busting bombs capable of penetrating such depths, making this strike particularly significant. The IAEA had reported a surge in uranium enrichment at Fordow earlier this year, sparking renewed international concern.
3. Isfahan:
Situated in central Iran, Isfahan is believed to be the heart of Iran’s nuclear research. It employs over 3,000 scientists and includes a range of facilities: three Chinese-supplied research reactors, a fuel production plant, and a zirconium cladding plant. Experts say it is the backbone of Iran’s nuclear fuel cycle and research infrastructure.
The U.S. reportedly used B-2 stealth bombers for the operation, though Trump did not specify which munitions were employed. The Pentagon and White House have remained tight-lipped on operational details.
Strategic Timing and Political Calculations
The decision to strike came far earlier than many expected. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously stated that Trump would finalize his decision within two weeks. Instead, he authorized the strikes just 48 hours later.
According to senior administration sources, Israeli officials—along with a number of high-profile Republican lawmakers—urged swift action, arguing that Israel’s ongoing operations in the region had sufficiently degraded Iranian air defenses and opened a rare strategic window.
Israel has conducted multiple covert and overt operations against Iranian assets in recent months, softening key targets and gathering intelligence. This reportedly laid the groundwork for what could be the most consequential U.S. military strike in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Regional Fallout and Rising Tensions
As expected, the strike has escalated tensions across the Middle East. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen issued a statement shortly after the strike, vowing to resume attacks on U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis had paused such actions in May under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire but warned that American participation in Israel’s war efforts would nullify the agreement.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Israel confirmed that “assisted departure flights” have resumed for American citizens. These are the first organized evacuation flights from Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terror attack that launched the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Iranian state media has not yet confirmed the extent of the damage, though early satellite imagery reviewed by independent analysts suggests significant hits to the Natanz and Isfahan facilities. Little is known yet about the status of Fordow, given its subterranean nature.
A Moment of Reckoning
Trump’s announcement drew both praise and condemnation worldwide. Supporters see the strike as a bold move to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reassert American strength on the global stage. Critics fear it may ignite a broader regional war, drawing in Iran’s proxies across Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, and further destabilizing an already volatile Middle East.
“This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD,” Trump posted again on Truth Social. “IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”
While Iran’s next move remains uncertain, many analysts believe retaliation is likely. Tehran has long vowed a harsh response to any attack on its nuclear infrastructure. The nation’s Supreme National Security Council reportedly convened an emergency meeting in the hours following the strike.
What Comes Next?
The ramifications of this operation will unfold over the coming days and weeks. Diplomats are already scrambling to contain fallout as European leaders call for restraint. Meanwhile, both the U.S. and Israel appear braced for the possibility of cyberattacks, retaliatory missile launches, or asymmetric warfare carried out by Iranian proxies.
For now, the world watches—and waits. What is clear, however, is that the long-simmering standoff over Iran’s nuclear program has reached a new and dangerous climax.Stay with American Faith for ongoing updates and exclusive analysis as this developing story unfolds.
