US strikes 3 nuclear sites in Iran

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump announced today, June 22, that the United States carried out strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.”

“All planes are now out of Iran airspace. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site at Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home,” Trump added, congratulating the “great American warriors.”

“Now is the time for peace. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he said.

Following the post, the US President reposted a tweet from the account “Open Source Intel,” stating that the "Fordow is gone". 

The move comes after reports that the US military had deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Guam in the Pacific.

These aircraft are capable of carrying the GBU-57 bunker-buster bomb - a 30,000-pound (13,600 kg) conventional weapon that defense analysts say is the most effective tool for destroying the Fordow uranium enrichment facility.

US and Israeli media reported that the strikes were carried out in full coordination with Tel Aviv.

The attack came despite warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday against targeting nuclear facilities, urging maximum restraint to avoid a “regional nuclear disaster.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council: “There must never be an armed attack on nuclear facilities. Such an incident could result in radioactive emissions with severe consequences both within and beyond the borders of the affected country.”

Last week, the IAEA reported a “slight increase” in radiation levels above normal at Iran’s Natanz facility, but said there was no threat to public health or the environment.

Russia also warned the US against launching strikes on Iran, saying such action would fundamentally destabilize the Middle East. Moscow cautioned that targeting nuclear sites could lead to a global “nuclear catastrophe.”

Iran, for its part, has repeatedly warned Washington against intervening in its conflict with Israel.

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the move would be “extremely dangerous for everyone.”