US has struck three Iranian nuclear sites, Trump says, joining Israeli air campaign
Source: Associated Press
By AAMER MADHANI, DAVID RISING and SAM MEDNICK
Updated 4:57 PM PDT, June 21, 2025
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel 's effort to decapitate the country's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran's threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.
The decision to directly involve the U.S. comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. But U.S. and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-lb. bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily-fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground.
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan," Trump said in a post on social media. "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."
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579
Something these idiots have wanted for a long, long time.
&pp=ygUOYm9tYiBpcmFuIHNvbmc%3D

MarineCombatEngineer
(15,782 posts)he went and did it.
50 Shades Of Blue
(11,183 posts)~ Vlad Putin
sakabatou
(44,952 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,253 posts)Impeach that Ahole NOW!!
quakerboy
(14,400 posts)Let me know if we bomb the drone manufacturing, then id be surprised.
Oil on the other hand, seems like it will be on the target list
Response to ificandream (Original post)
Post removed
Richard D
(9,986 posts)🚨 BREAKING: U.S. STRIKES IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITES IN COORDINATION WITH ISRAEL; FORDOW HIT WITH 14-TON GBU-57 BOMBS; TRUMP DECLARES MISSION A SUCCESS AND CALLS FOR PEACE
🕒 June 22, 2025 | 3:00 AM (Israel Time)
💥 In a stunning military operation, the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a successful strike on three major nuclear sites in Iran Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. President Trump confirmed the mission Saturday night, stating: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. 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!"
💣 Multiple 14-ton GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs were deployed on the Fordow underground nuclear facility. The scale and precision of the attack point to a meticulously planned operation designed to neutralize Irans nuclear advancement capabilities.
⚠️ According to defense sources, U.S. bases throughout West Asia were placed on full high alert ahead of the operation. Israel was reportedly briefed in advance and fully coordinated with the U.S. to avoid any regional miscommunication or escalation.
✈️ Military analysts suggest that the B-2 bombers spotted en route to Guam may have served as a diversion, while the actual strike likely involved B-52s from Diego Garcia or potentially additional stealth B-2 units executing the high-impact assault.
🇮🇱 The joint nature of this operation reflects deepened military collaboration between the U.S. and Israel in confronting Irans nuclear threat with significant implications for regional security, deterrence, and diplomacy moving forward.
🌐 Please share and spread the word about ISRAEL REALTIME 🎗️ "Connecting the World to Israel in Realtime."
👉 WhatsApp: tinyurl.com/IRWAC
👉 Telegram: tinyurl.com/3fz86npa
👉 Other links: IsraelRealTime.com
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)If it was all THIS easy, it would have been done a long time ago.
I'm not trying to argue with you. Foreign policy isn't my interest nor my forte', but this just seems way too convenient.
Richard D
(9,986 posts). . . the hope is that this will give the people of Iran the momentum to overthrow the Islamic Republic and re-create a democratic Iran.
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)As you said, we will see.
Sure sounds like you approve of what Trump just did. Got any sons in the military?
Richard D
(9,986 posts). . . and this will not turn into a ground war. There was one objective: to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Destroying it is a great thing. Really amazingly great.
The rule by Mullahs as to go. That will be up to the people of Iran. I pray it'll happen as it will be a different Middle East.
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)n/t
BlueTsunami2018
(4,447 posts)These people are theocrats.
The Shah was a dictator.
Before that they were a monarchy.
Richard D
(9,986 posts)The hope is for a democratic monarchy, I think. IDK. It can't be worse than it is now.
Skittles
(165,236 posts)IT CAN *ALWAYS BE WORSE*
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)The CIA-backed coup that set up the Shah replaced it
iemanja
(56,135 posts)The US installed and propped up the Shah. Pretending there is something intrinsically theocratic about the Iranian people is uninformed. Surely, you've seen the mass protests in the streets of Iran.
Lonestarblue
(12,701 posts)They may not be able to retaliate tomorrow, but they have long memories and the US is likely to pay a price at some point.
Richard D
(9,986 posts)TIOLI . . .
Dear progressive friends, please stop your puritan virtue signaling on behalf of the Iranian people.
If you care, get educated on our history and culture, instead of repeating uninformed leftist talking points.
Where have you been for the past 47 years?
Where was your outcry when 30,000 Iranians were executed in sham trails in 1979?
Where were you when your tax dollars funded 8 years of war? I spent the first 8 years of my life under the rocket attacks of a war you funded for years.
Where were you when my classmates were thrown from their dorm windows to their death during student protests of 1999?
Where was your outrage when the regime slaughtered 1500 protestors over 3 days in 2019?
Where was your outrage during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement when 550+ people were killed (many children) and many more disappeared, imprisoned, and sentenced to death?
Where were you when they released poisoned gas into girls schools to silence their chants against the regime in 2022?
I never felt more isolated in my suffering than to have witnessed your silence then so spare me your outrage. Its not authentic nor welcomed.
Why is it that you selectively ignore and minimize the crimes of the Islamist regimes against their own people while raging against Israel?
Im no fan of Netanyahu, I think he is a war criminal, BUT, make no mistake, the cause of this war and the suffering of my people is the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC and its gross ideology of hatred and martyrdom.
To say that Iran has the right to develop nuclear weapons isnt that different than advocating for the Nazis to have nuclear weapons. To be clear, I believe NO ONE should have nuclear weapons but especially not a murderous regime.
We dont need your virtue signaling, we need your understanding and education. I see so many Americans with no knowledge of Middle East expressing their opinions here as a fact. It will do you all good to speak to those of us who grew up under this regime.
Equating Iran with Iraq or Syria is profoundly misinformed. Westerners seem to imagine that all of Middle East is the same but nothing could be further away from truth. We are a complex country with a rich history, pride, grit, and resources.
While neither the US, nor Israel is the savior of the Iranian people, there is no denying that this mess is possibly the strongest opportunity weve ever had to get rid of this regime.
My heart aches to witness my hometown in rubbles, my people driven from their homes in droves, children killed, homes destroyed
but ask us who we hold accountable and youll discover a strong consensus and moral clarity amongst Iranians: we wouldnt be here if it wasnt for the murderous Iranian regime and their hateful policies and proxy wars all over Middle East.
Do I know what will happen next? Absolutely not! Do I trust the US and Israel to let us choose our own destiny? You have got to be kidding me! Of course not!
What do I know? THIS > NOTHING will ever change in Iran or the Middle East, until these occupying Islamic extremist lunatics are out of the picture.
The pain and torture they perpetrate upon my people is unfathomable! Anytime a dictator is eliminated, thats a positive outcome albeit at a great cost.
Im not happy that this war is happening but Im hopeful that this can end the tyranny of the Ayatollah and bring an end to the consistent infliction of pain, torture, and executions upon our precious and beautiful country and people.
One day soon, I shall dance in the streets of Tehran with so many of you who have asked me to take you there.
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)I noticed you didn't provide a link in a post up thread. I thought we had to provide those when copying information onto DU????
Hornedfrog2000
(279 posts)Lots of hearsay
LudwigPastorius
(12,728 posts)If anything, this will rally support for Khohmeini.
graycampervan
(14 posts)Check out the movie "Argo".
graycampervan
(14 posts)Check out the movie "Argo".
Hornedfrog2000
(279 posts)This isnt good, any way you sell it.
Skittles
(165,236 posts)oh yes
Crowman2009
(3,145 posts)One time he threw a shitfit when I informed him that the Israeli football club he made out to be victims (Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.) has a long history of instigating hooligan violence, even in Israel.
Justice matters.
(8,492 posts)and that all of them are intact in a secret location?
Tunnels can go in all directions, more likely far than near...
If that is true, they really made the orange liar and his drunk sexual assaulter look as stupid as they are.
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)It would indeed be a good thing. If we only pissed of Iran, we will certainly have retaliation.
Richard D
(9,986 posts). . . is that the three nuclear weapons production sites are no more.
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)Not a bad thing at all.
Richard D
(9,986 posts)Response to Richard D (Reply #46)
COL Mustard This message was self-deleted by its author.
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)A munitions storage facility
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/16/watch-israeli-strike-in-syria-causes-seismic-explosion/
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)But I'll delete
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)Richard D
(9,986 posts). . . can be occasionally correct.
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)You are not one of us.
Richard D
(9,986 posts)... And won't it just suck if the mullahs are overthrown and Iran joins the 21st century... I'm personally far from more comfortable with a non nuclear Iran in any case.
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)Iraq, Syria, Libya.
I'll wait...
Meanwhile, "we'll see" isn't good enough. Trump has been wrong about everything, and you trust him with war? Give me a fucking break.
speak easy
(11,755 posts)Abolishinist
(2,599 posts)Please provide a definition or some guidelines for being one of "us".
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)Plain and simple. Truth hurts. Hakeem Jefferies has made a statement: I stand with the Minority Leader, not the Republican establishment.
I know you have a sad because I made fun of Bill Maher, but now isn't the time to play annoying contrarian.
Abolishinist
(2,599 posts)Nothing I said indicates I 'trust' tRump... unequivocally I do not.
That being said, I don't necessarily disagree with this action. I live in San Diego, we have a fairly large Iranian population. From time to time I shop at a middle-eastern grocer that is owned by Iranians - they have a permanent sign outside the entrance that says "Free Iran". Also some great breads and cheeses that are hard to find elsewhere, especially Halloumi (I've a great recipe for Halloumi tacos, let me know and I'll send it to you). I support their wishes for a number of reasons. Iran CANNOT be allowed to have a nuclear weapon... period, comma, out. So if this works, so be it. There's no clear choice to achieve this.
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)Until we got involved in 1953. Power vacuums tend to make things worse. If anything, it will unite the Iranian people against us.
Abolishinist
(2,599 posts)I do find it rather disgusting that the Fuck Bill Maher crowd takes it upon themselves to show up on Rhiannon's weekly post informing us of who will be on his show. She is an extremely nice person, I've never seen her express anger at anyone on this site, who contributes a lot to DU by posting dozens of videos on a weekly basis, and also serves on MIRT.
You don't like Bill Maher? Fine, I understand, don't watch. But what is the point of disrupting her OP each week with the typical hit and run? To me its childish.
ForgoTheConsequence
(5,038 posts)And not the genocide happening in Gaza or the illegal bombing of Iran. Interesting takes.
Crowman2009
(3,145 posts)Notice how he's never made any post criticizing of the Israeli government, as if everything they do is infallible.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,253 posts)PSPS
(14,623 posts)But every US asset in the world, including here in the US, will be considered a legitimate target, thanks to MAGA
We may have just effectively won it.
we'll see.
Balatro
(51 posts)supposed to greet us as "liberators" and was only supposed to last weeks?
MarineCombatEngineer
(15,782 posts)there is no, AFAIK, plan to put combat forces on the ground inside Iran, anyone who tries that will get decimated, rightfully so.
Deminpenn
(16,849 posts)nt
Richard D
(9,986 posts). . . Israel already took out their main nuclear scientists.
And, this will at least set their programs back a decade, hopefully enough time (way more than enough time) for a new democratic Iran to arise. I'm putting on my dancing shoes.
Deminpenn
(16,849 posts)nt
Richard D
(9,986 posts)Had a square kilometer of centrifuges destroyed.
Red Mountain
(2,113 posts)the Iranians have been bad actors in the region for far too long.
But we haven't 'won' anything by dropping a few bombs.
We just knowingly ripped the top off the ME, AGAIN.
What we did to Iraq created chaos and mass death the reverberations of which continued until the latest gong hit.
Will Russia and China allow their client state to be dominated and destroyed piecemeal?
The Iranians aren't finished by any stretch of the imagination.
4th
(302 posts)Yes, but it was already.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,253 posts)MorbidButterflyTat
(3,180 posts)the military entertainment industrial complex and the contractors fat and happy. As always.
FarPoint
(14,051 posts)Even GW Bush went thru Congress to go after Sadam...😳
purple_haze
(143 posts)orangecrush
(25,179 posts)purple_haze
(143 posts)FBaggins
(28,147 posts)OPEC's surplus capacity exceeds Iran's production - and many members would be more than happy to rake in the extra cash
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)Presidents have been given authority to use the military for a limited period of time before Congress has to weigh in... but Iraq was dramatically larger than that and lasted for years. Congress had to fund it.
The may not last nearly long enough to require a Congressional vote - though Trump may seek one if polling is favorable.
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)Under WPA before they have to notify Congress. I imagine he'll do that as part of the 10:00 address that I won't watch.
OnlinePoker
(5,978 posts)He only informed the speaker after it happened.
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)You dont tell anyone until after its done. In this case, I dont blame him. The House leaks like a sieve.
Of course, so does Hegseth but thats another story.
Basso8vb
(1,165 posts)THE LIMP DICKED GOP CONGRESS CAN EAT ME.
Paladin
(30,811 posts)Jesus, the things trump will resort to, when he sees his approval ratings going down the toilet.
What the fuck do we DO about this shit?
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)Fly the flag and everything. The neighbor was just texting my daughter saying she's worried about her son being deployed.
It will be someone's son, and hers is no different. That's what they voted voted for.
ificandream
(11,194 posts)Not sure it'll change her mind about Trump, but it'll shake her up. A good thing.
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)Like I said in the post - it's going to be someone's son, and hers should not be any different than anyone else's son or daughter.
That is the extent of the compassion that I can muster. They wanted this shit and they dragged us all along into the suffering. So, therefore, when the real suffering starts, they will NOT be exempt if I have anything to say about it.
This is trump's response to protests and dismal polling here in the U.S. Yay rah US of A! A War President, weapons of mass destruction, yada yada yada.
If we weren't in deep shit before, we're underneath the basement now. He's been drooling over bombing somebody for a long time.
Buddyzbuddy
(1,052 posts)Just as soon as he eliminates Muslims.
Saudi, Qatar, Pakistan meet the devil you've chosen to make deals with. He's gonna want some action tonight, run Melania, run.
ananda
(32,361 posts)Does anyone believe this?
The Houthis have already promised to attack ships
in the Red Sea.
I think we are in a real mess.
Miles Archer
(19,731 posts)...that he couldn't tell Netanyahu to back off because "It's very hard to do that when they're winning."
Too lazy to go back and find the link...I'm sure it's been posted on DU elsewhere...trust me, Trump said that, and in the context I provided.
ananda
(32,361 posts)Sheesh
hamsterjill
(16,046 posts)If it was this easy, it would have been done eons ago. I don't think it could possibly be this easy.
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)If someone had tried this five years ago, the firestorm would include Hezbolah, Hamas, the Houthis, and likely with Russian support.
But Russia needs more from their client than they can themselves provide... and Iran's clients have largely been defanged. Then Israel's week of pounding was devastating to Iran's conventional military. "This" only became "easy" after all of that.
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)They turn around and bite YOU!
COL Mustard
(7,444 posts)I think it just got real,, real fast. You know the Iranians will respond.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,253 posts)BumRushDaShow
(155,003 posts)
NowsTheTime
(1,147 posts)(and at least GW took his idea to Congress first)
ananda
(32,361 posts)Has Iran already moved the sites knowing how
crazy Bibi and Trump are?k
BBC reports that the sites have already been evacuated.
Iran says nuclear sites had already been evacuated.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckg3rzj8emjt
We have now got our first reaction from Iran.
The deputy political director of Irans state broadcaster, Hassan Abedini, has appeared live on state TV just now.
He says Iran evacuated these three nuclear sites a while ago.
He also says that even if what Trump says is true, Iran didnt suffer a major blow because the materials had already been taken out.
onenote
(45,355 posts)But I also dont believe what comes out of an Iranian spokesperson.
ananda
(32,361 posts)Al Jazeera has good rundowns and the best news out there.
Mosby
(18,703 posts)Which is only used for nuclear weapons.
Montauk6
(9,150 posts)lindalou65
(338 posts)Will they just sit by and do nothing after this strike on Iran? I think not. We will see.
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)Keep in mind that most of the Middle East does not like Iran at all.
They may indeed "sit by and do nothing"... but it's also possible that they will assist with the collapse of the current regime now that a nuclear Iran is off the table, their client terrorist orgs are defanged, and Russia is unable to provide support.
EX500rider
(11,908 posts)MustBeTheBooz
(329 posts)Balatro
(51 posts)Its disheartening and feels like Deja Vu.
Karasu
(1,421 posts)The good old Republican "Look over there!" strategy never fails. They are fucking one-trick ponies. Can't have them in charge WITHOUT being dragged into some stupid-ass war in the Middle East. It comes with the fucking territory.
MorbidButterflyTat
(3,180 posts)Every. Fucking. Time.
Response to Karasu (Reply #51)
Skittles This message was self-deleted by its author.
Tarzanrock
(1,112 posts)1,900,000,000 Muslims. Convince me how today's US military attack on Iran is different than the Japan's December 7, 1941 military attack on Pearl Harbor which President Roosevelt said was a day which would live in infamy!
D00ver66
(10 posts)Irans leadership knew this was coming and they have moved anything including people that are important to their nuclear program. The only thing Trump has done as activated terrorism cells around the world to cause damage and death to western civilization. Another brilliant Trump move. My guess is we will see what they (Iran) are going to do in two weeks.
Exp
(408 posts)FUCK THEM ALL !!!
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE !!!
True Dough
(23,399 posts)
EllieBC
(3,478 posts)his favourites to use to threaten the west.
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)Iran was the primary supplier of the drones Russia was using in Ukraine. Israel's initial attacks devastated that production capacity.
EllieBC
(3,478 posts)it much around here. Thinking about how intertwined Iran and Russia are can be uncomfortable sometimes for some people.
Anyway, Im glad that should put a halt to the supply for a bit.
muriel_volestrangler
(103,951 posts)which does help Putin.
Woodycall
(505 posts)FailureToCommunicate
(14,533 posts)Miami Blue
(309 posts)Lets send first TraitorTrumps very special son
to a ground war in Iran.
I doubt that the Mamas boy can handle it.
Mati, Mati
Na Pomoč!
Waaaaah
Waaaaah
Zorro
(17,587 posts)AllaN01Bear
(25,798 posts)ronald raygun," we have to punish iran. always punish iran, esp after they disposed our fair hjair boy the shah.
Ford_Prefect
(8,398 posts)Hekate
(98,232 posts)MorbidButterflyTat
(3,180 posts)with boxcutters destroying various parts of US cities? Or worse?
This asshole!!!!
Pinback
(13,279 posts)Xtian zealots must be getting excited.
As for me
SpankMe
(3,500 posts)The executive may only take military action if authorized by congress or if there is an attack or pending attack against the US. Iran did not attack the US, nor threaten to attack. Nothing within the country of Iran, nor within their recent behaviors, indicates a design against the US.
The war powers act doesn't attach, here. At lease GW Bush got AUMF from congress. Trump has nothing.
The US doesn't do pre-emptive military strikes.
Now, Iran has cause to attack the US. Knowing the asshole state of Iran's facilitation of terrorism, we're in for a tough time. When they attack, we won't be able to point to Trump's attack as a provocation. Instead, we'll be accused of coddling terrorists. We don't have a lot to work with, here.
totodeinhere
(13,626 posts)Eisenhower actually helped to stop a war in the region. But since then they have started wars. Shrub caused a lot of human suffering with his wars. And now this.
chowder66
(10,809 posts)Buddyzbuddy
(1,052 posts)Ice abuses, immigration, tariffs, the economy, Sec. Kegsbreath, Ice Ice Barbie, the Big plundering bill, arrests of Democrats, the embarrassment of the Felon at the G7,or the assaulter of couches heavy eyeliner, or golden cell phones, or...........
Pisces
(6,032 posts)SunSeeker
(56,041 posts)Hope we don't need a lot more anytime soon.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/massive-ordnance-penetrator-bomb-gbu-57-b-2-bomber-iran-fordo-nuclear-facility/
Deminpenn
(16,849 posts)assessment before taking this action.
FBaggins
(28,147 posts)(According to the pentagon briefing this morning)
OTOH - all we really know is that there were at least twenty of them a decade ago. We may find that the classified number is much higher (as with our carriers top speed being above 30 knots and submarines max depth being over 1,000 feet).
Either way - they arent remarkably expensive or difficult to product. Replacing a carrier, submarine, or B-2 would take years
but if these were effective and worth replacing - it wont be much of a challenge
SunSeeker
(56,041 posts)So I wouldn't say they were easy nor cheap to produce. Replacements should be cheaper, but with the Pentagon, who knows.
IbogaProject
(4,542 posts)Then martial law. Let's see if the wealthy can keep him in line and keep their economy feeding their greed rather than a false Reichstag fire.
BidenRocks
(1,701 posts)The Epstein Files!
Firestorm49
(4,401 posts)YoshidaYui
(43,873 posts)The Grand Illuminist
(1,826 posts)Enough said.