TEHRAN (Diya TV) — Tehran has confirmed that the United States carried out coordinated airstrikes on three of its nuclear sites early Sunday, targeting Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation denounced the attacks as violations of international law and vowed to continue developing its nuclear capabilities, describing them as part of a “national industry” that would not be halted.
The statement declared that the country’s progress, attributed to “the blood of nuclear martyrs,” would persist despite what it called “evil conspiracies.”
President Donald Trump announced the military action in a series of posts, calling it a “very successful attack” on the underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, among others. “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming that American warplanes had safely exited Iranian airspace after completing the mission.
Trump insisted Iran “must now agree to end this war,” and reiterated that under no circumstances would the country be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
One of the targeted facilities, Fordo, is believed to be buried deep within a mountainside south of Tehran, beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. The U.S. deployed GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—commonly known as “bunker busters”—designed to penetrate reinforced underground structures. U.S. officials told CBS that two such bombs were used for each of the three sites.
While Iranian authorities have yet to release a full damage assessment, state media cited crisis officials in Qom—located near the Fordo site—who claimed “there is no danger to the people of Qom and the surrounding area.” Iranian state broadcaster officials also suggested that the sites had been evacuated “a while ago,” and that critical materials had already been removed.
Nevertheless, Trump claimed in a televised address that the “nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” Former U.S. assistant secretary of state Mark Kimmitt offered a more measured view, stating there is “no way to suggest that it has been destroyed for all time.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, warned that Tehran’s “response to the continued aggression of the Zionist regime will be more devastating,” signaling a potential escalation following the U.S. intervention.
The United States reportedly informed Iran through diplomatic backchannels prior to the attack, stating that it had no intention of regime change and that this would be the extent of its military response. Despite this, Iranian officials have warned of potential retaliation targeting U.S. military assets across the region.
The latest developments come amid an already volatile conflict between Israel and Iran. On June 13, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets, prompting Iran to respond with a barrage of rockets and drones. The tit-for-tat airstrikes have continued for more than a week.
While the U.S. and Iran had been engaged in nuclear talks prior to the conflict, Trump had publicly given Iran “two weeks” to come to the negotiating table—a deadline he cut short with Sunday’s strikes.
U.S. officials say the decision to strike was made to halt Iran’s nuclear advancement. However, Iran continues to insist that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.
The Pentagon has not yet provided a formal casualty report, and the full extent of damage at the targeted sites remains unclear. Iran has claimed that more than 200 of its citizens have been killed in recent clashes with Israel, with over 1,200 injured.
In anticipation of possible retaliation, Israel has significantly increased its domestic security measures, including a nationwide suspension of education, public gatherings, and workplaces.
Trump, who has long expressed opposition to Iran possessing nuclear weapons, now faces renewed scrutiny over the scope of presidential war powers. While Congress alone can formally declare war, U.S. presidents can authorize military action independently under the authority of commander-in-chief. Similar to his 2017 airstrikes in Syria, Trump did not seek prior Congressional approval for this week’s strikes on Iran.
Iran has threatened to retaliate by targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East, including the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain and strategic sea routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn such moves could destabilize the entire region and disrupt global energy supplies.
As tensions rise, international observers remain focused on whether this high-stakes conflict will escalate further—or if diplomatic efforts, already strained, can still prevent a full-blown regional war.
