The geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically overnight as Donald Trump revealed U.S. forces had conducted targeted strikes against three key Iranian nuclear facilities. In a characteristically blunt Truth Social post, the former president named Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan as the targets of what he called a “highly successful assault,” confirming all participating aircraft had returned safely.
Military experts immediately recognized the operation’s sophistication. The inclusion of Fordow – a deeply buried enrichment site long suspected of housing Iran’s most sensitive nuclear work – suggests the U.S. employed specialized bunker-busting munitions capable of penetrating reinforced underground facilities. Reports indicate B-2 stealth bombers, capable of delivering such payloads with precision, had been positioned in Guam in preparation for this contingency.
This direct military action follows weeks of escalating tensions that began with Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in mid-June. While Israel has conducted similar operations before, America’s open participation marks a significant escalation in the long-running confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program. The move comes after what Trump described as failed diplomatic efforts and persistent threats from Tehran.
International reaction was swift and divided. Iranian leaders promised severe retaliation, while European allies expressed alarm at the potential for broader conflict. At home, responses split along familiar partisan lines, with Trump allies cheering decisive action and critics warning of potential quagmire. As markets opened, spiking oil prices offered the first tangible consequence for ordinary Americans, raising fears of broader economic impacts from the escalating crisis.
