U.S. Conducts Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites, Marking Direct Military Intervention

On June 21, 2025, the United States launched a series of airstrikes targeting key Iranian nuclear facilities, officially entering the conflict alongside Israel in efforts to cripple Iran’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump announced the operation as “very successful,” confirming strikes on three major sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The Fordo facility, located deep within a mountain near Qom and known for its heavy fortifications, was the primary target. Trump highlighted that a “full payload of bombs” was dropped on Fordo, underscoring the scale and precision of the attack. The Natanz uranium enrichment plant and a facility near Isfahan, believed to house highly enriched uranium, were also hit.

This marks the most direct U.S. military action inside Iran in decades, a significant escalation following weeks of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites. The strikes aim to delay or dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, a goal shared by both Washington and Jerusalem.

Iranian officials acknowledged the attacks, with some senior commanders reportedly killed in the operation. The Iranian leadership is now reportedly focused on heightened security measures amid fears of further strikes and potential assassination attempts on top figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The U.S. strikes have raised concerns about a broader regional escalation. Iran has threatened retaliatory attacks on American interests, and Israel has increased its alert status, limiting public activity as a precaution. International observers, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, have warned about the risks of attacking nuclear facilities, particularly the commercial nuclear power plant in Bushehr, which was not targeted.

President Trump, in his statement, emphasized that all U.S. aircraft safely exited Iranian airspace and called for peace following the operation. However, the move signals a dramatic shift in U.S. policy, moving from diplomatic pressure to direct military engagement.

The full consequences of the strikes remain to be seen, but the operation has undeniably intensified the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with global implications for security and energy markets.

Key Facts:

• U.S. airstrikes targeted Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran.

• The Fordo site was hit with a full payload of bombs, designed to penetrate deep underground facilities.

• The strikes represent the first direct U.S. military action inside Iran in decades.

• Iranian commanders were reportedly killed, and the leadership is on high alert.

• Israel raised its security alert and restricted public activities following the strikes.

• International agencies warn of risks associated with attacks on nuclear facilities.

This development marks a critical escalation in the Middle East conflict, with the potential to reshape regional dynamics and international relations.