The Blubber

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the U.S. military had successfully struck three nuclear sites in Iran, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict alongside Israel.

“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,” he wrote on Truth Social. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”

Trump noted that Fordow, a deeply buried enrichment facility vital to Iran's nuclear program, was hit with a complete bomb load. Israeli officials confirmed they coordinated closely with the U.S. in planning the strikes.

Iran has responded by warning it may now target U.S. military assets in the region, asserting that any American involvement raises the risk of a broader regional war.

How This All Began

On June 13, Israel launched a covert operation targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations, aiming to cripple Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon—a step Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was urgently needed. Iran, which maintains its nuclear efforts are peaceful, retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets and drones toward Israel. The cross-border strikes have continued for over a week.

The Fordow Strike

One of the primary targets, Fordow, sits hidden inside a mountain south of Tehran. It's believed to be more deeply buried than the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. Military analysts consider it critical to Iran's nuclear capabilities but challenging to reach without specialized weaponry.

The U.S. reportedly deployed the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator—a 30,000-pound “bunker buster” capable of penetrating up to 18 meters of concrete or 61 meters of earth—to strike Fordow. Two such bombs were reportedly used per target, according to U.S. officials speaking to CBS News—it remains uncertain whether they reached the full depth of the site but are the only weapons capable of coming close.

Ground Impact in Iran

Assessments of the damage and any casualties at the nuclear sites remain unclear. Iran’s state broadcaster’s deputy political director, Hassan Abedini, claimed the facilities had been vacated “a while ago” and stated the attack caused no “major blow,” as sensitive materials had been removed in advance.

Iran reports that over 200 people have been killed and more than 1,200 injured since the latest hostilities began.

Implications for Israel

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces announced heightened security across the country, imposing restrictions on education, gatherings, and workplaces following the U.S. strikes.

What Iran Could Do Next

Despite suffering significant military setbacks and pressure on its regional allies—such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and proxies in Syria and Gaza—Iran remains capable of retaliatory strike. Tehran has warned the U.S. of “irreparable damage” should it escalate involvement, threatening an “all-out war” in the region.

Potential targets include U.S. military bases across at least 19 locations in the Middle East, including the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Iran also has the option of targeting maritime routes—such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which 30% of global oil exports pass—as a form of strategic leverage that could destabilize global markets.

Summary

• U.S. Strike Completed: Trump confirmed successful U.S. attacks on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, with all aircraft safely departed Iranian airspace.
• Critical Weaponry Used: U.S. utilized GBU-57 bunker busters, according to officials.
• Unclear Damage & Casualties: Iran claims the targets were evacuated; casualties range over 200.
• Escalating Regional Tensions: Israel increases domestic security; Iran threatens to hit U.S. military assets and disrupt global shipping lanes.

As both sides brace for possible retaliation, the world watches closely to see whether this fast-moving crisis evolves into a broader regional conflict.