US military aircraft have struck three Iranian nuclear sites, including the heavily protected Fordow site, President Donald Trump said early Sunday morning local time.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump revealed in a Truth Social post. “All planes are now outside of Iran air space,” he said.
The direct attack on Iran marks a major escalation and takes US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel to a new level. Trump has been weighing whether to strike Iran for several days.
The strikes notably risk Iranian retaliatory attacks that could harm US forces in the region, which Tehran has already threatened.
The president said a “full payload” of bombs was dropped on Fordow, one of Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facilities. Trump described it as “the primary site.” Fordow is heavily fortified, with its key facilities deep underground in a mountain.
It’s unclear what aircraft were used to carry out the strikes.
Earlier on Saturday, open-source intelligence accounts were tracking the movement of several B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from their base in the US across the Pacific, with speculation that the bombers were fully loaded and potentially heading for Iran.
US Air National Guard Photo by Airman First Class Ivy Thomas
The B-2s are thought to be the only aircraft that can carry big enough bunker-buster bombs, like the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) needed to breach Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites.
The Defense Department and US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, referred Business Insider to the White House for additional questions. The White House did not immediately respond to a message.
“All planes are safely on their way home,” Trump said. “Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this.”
He added that “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The bombing runs come after several days of speculation about whether the US would join Israel in striking Iran.
Last Friday, Israeli officials announced the start of a new operation aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear program, which has long been a goal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Trump administration had favorited a diplomatic approach, trying to reach a new nuclear deal with Tehran.
Over the past week, Israeli fighter jets have carried out far-reaching airstrikes across Iran, targeting its nuclear program, top scientists, senior commanders, air defenses, missile launchers, bases, and other high-profile military infrastructure.
