What Was the Extent of the US Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Sites?
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities had “devastated” the country’s nuclear program. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the mission was not aimed at regime change but was a direct intervention in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. “We devastated the Iranian nuclear programme,” Hegseth said during a press briefing. “This mission was not, and has not, been about regime change.”
President Donald Trump described the operation as a “very successful attack” targeting the Fordo underground enrichment facility, along with sites in Isfahan and Natanz. “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. He also confirmed that all aircraft had safely exited Iranian airspace.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine revealed that seven B-2 stealth bombers flew 18 hours from the US mainland with aerial refueling to complete the operation. “Iran’s fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran’s surface-to-air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission. We retained the element of surprise,” said Caine. Trump reiterated that Iran “must now agree to end this war,” while maintaining that it must never acquire nuclear weapons.
How Did Iran Respond to the US and Israeli Actions?
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the United States of destroying diplomatic progress. “They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities,” he said at a news conference in Istanbul. In a post on X, Araghchi claimed that both Israel and the US had “blown up” talks between Tehran and Western powers.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also condemned the strikes, calling the United States the “main factor behind” Israel’s military campaign. Iran’s armed forces responded by launching missiles at several sites in Israel, including Ben Gurion Airport and a biological research facility. The IRNA reported that 40 missiles were launched as part of Iran’s “20th wave” of strikes.
Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai reported extensive damage. “Houses here were hit very, very badly,” he said. “Those who were in the shelter are all safe and well. The damage is very, very extensive, but in terms of human life, we are okay.” The Israeli military responded with strikes in western Iran and Qom, reportedly killing four members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
What Are Global Agencies Saying About the Aftermath?
Despite the intensity of the attacks, the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed there was no increase in radiation at the targeted nuclear sites. “Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran… the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,” the agency said on X.
Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, announced that an emergency meeting would be held at the Vienna headquarters to address the US strikes.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society also stated there were no fatalities in the attacks. “Fortunately, we did not have any martyrs in last night’s events of the US aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities,” said Pir Hossein Kolivand on state TV.
The conflict between Iran and Israel has now entered its tenth day, with tensions escalating on all fronts and global attention focused on how each side will respond next.
By Lucky Anyanje
