U.S. launches strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump says

Washington — The United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump announced Saturday evening, calling them a “spectacular military success.” 

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

In a follow-up post, Mr. Trump wrote: “This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISTAEL (sic), AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!” 

Trump warns Iran against retaliating after U.S. strikes  

The president addressed the nation regarding the strikes late Saturday night, saying that “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated” and issuing a warning to Iran to strive for a peace deal in its war with Israel.  

“There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” Mr. Trump said while flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Remember, there are many targets left.”

Mr. Trump added that “if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.” 

Iran has pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joined the Israeli assault, which began with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military targets on June 13. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.

But in a follow-up social media post following his national address, Mr. Trump said that “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”

What we know so far about the U.S. strikes 

Fordo, the site of an enrichment facility that international experts believe is key to Iran’s nuclear program, is buried almost 300 feet beneath a mountain and protected by significant air defenses.