“US attacks 3 nuclear sites in Iran” The United States has launched a dramatic military strike against three key nuclear facilities in Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. President Donald Trump announced the operation, describing it as a “spectacular military success” that has “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities. The targeted sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan—are central to Iran’s nuclear program, raising global concerns over potential retaliation and broader regional instability.
The US Military Operation: Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
“US attacks 3 nuclear sites in Iran” The US military deployed advanced weaponry, including B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, to carry out the strikes. The Fordo facility, buried nearly 300 feet beneath a mountain, was hit with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, each weighing 30,000 pounds and capable of penetrating deep underground structures. This marked the first operational use of the “bunker buster” bomb, specifically designed to destroy fortified nuclear sites.
Natanz and Esfahan were struck by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from US submarines, though the exact number of missiles remains undisclosed. The Pentagon confirmed that all US aircraft exited Iranian airspace safely, with no reported losses
US Attacks 3 Nuclear Sites in Iran: Technical Breakdown of Weapons Used
The recent US attacks 3 nuclear sites in Iran—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “spectacular military success,” claiming that Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities had been “completely and totally obliterated”.
A critical factor in the operation’s success was the deployment of advanced precision-guided munitions, including bunker-buster bombs and submarine-launched cruise missiles. Below is a detailed technical breakdown of the weapons used in the attack.
1. GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – The "Bunker Buster"
Primary Target: Fordo Nuclear Facility
Weight: 30,000 pounds (13,600 kg)
Explosive Payload: 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of high-grade explosives
Penetration Depth:
Concrete: Up to 60 meters (200 feet)
Earth/Reinforced Rock: Up to 200 meters (656 feet)
Delivery Platform: B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber (the only aircraft capable of carrying the MOP)
Why Fordo Required the MOP?
The Fordo enrichment site is buried 80-90 meters (262-295 feet) beneath a mountain, making it one of the most heavily fortified nuclear sites in the world.
Conventional bombs would be ineffective due to the depth and reinforced concrete shielding.
The MOP is GPS-guided, allowing it to strike with pinpoint accuracy despite Fordo’s defenses
Operational Deployment
Six B-2 bombers were used to drop 12 MOP bombs on Fordo, ensuring complete destruction of the underground chambers.
This marked the first operational use of the MOP in combat, demonstrating its effectiveness against deeply buried targets
2. Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) – Submarine-Launched Strikes
Targets: Natanz & Isfahan Nuclear Facilities
Warhead: 1,000-pound (450 kg) conventional explosive
Range: 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
Guidance System: GPS/INS (Inertial Navigation System) with TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) for mid-course updates
Why Tomahawks Were Used?
Natanz had already suffered significant damage from Israeli strikes, but its underground centrifuges remained partially operational.
Isfahan housed uranium conversion facilities and research labs, making it a high-value target for disruption.
Submarine-launched TLAMs provided stealth and surprise, avoiding Iranian air defenses.
Launch Details
30 Tomahawk missiles were fired from US Navy submarines in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
The strikes were coordinated with B-2 bombings to overwhelm Iranian radar and anti-missile systems
3. B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber – The Delivery Platform
Key Features
Stealth Capabilities: Radar cross-section equivalent to a small bird, making it nearly undetectable by Iranian air defenses.
Payload Capacity: 40,000 lbs (18,000 kg), allowing it to carry two MOP bombs per sortie.
Range: 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) unrefueled, enabling long-range strikes from Whiteman AFB (Missouri) or Guam
Mission Execution
The B-2s flew non-stop from the US, refueled mid-air, and penetrated Iranian airspace undetected.
Their low-observable design allowed them to evade Russian-made S-300 and Bavar-373 missile systems
Trump’s Warning: Peace or Further Destruction
In a televised address from the White House, President Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran: “There will either be peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days”. He emphasized that the US could target additional sites if Iran retaliates, stating, “Remember, there are many targets left”.
Trump’s rhetoric was reinforced on social media, where he warned that any Iranian retaliation “WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT”. His administration also reached out diplomatically to Iran, assuring that the strikes were limited and that regime change was not the objective
Iran’s Response: Defiance and Threats of Retaliation
Iranian officials downplayed the damage, with state media claiming the strikes were “superficial” and did not critically impair Fordo’s operations. However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack as a “grave violation of the UN Charter” and warned of “everlasting consequences”. Iran has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting to hold the US accountable.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran insisted that its nuclear program would continue despite the strikes, while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no increase in radiation levels near the targeted sites
Global Reactions: Condemnation and Calls for De-escalation
The attack has drawn mixed responses worldwide:
Latin American nations, including Cuba and Venezuela, condemned the US strikes as a dangerous escalation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm, warning of a “growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control”.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision, calling it a historic moment that would change the Middle East.
US lawmakers were divided, with Democrats criticizing Trump for bypassing Congress, while some Republicans supported the move
Potential Fallout: Economic and Security Risks
Experts warn that Iran could retaliate by:
Targeting US military bases in the Middle East.
Closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, which could disrupt global energy markets.
Launching cyberattacks against US infrastructure
Conclusion: A Dangerous New Phase in US-Iran Relations
US attacks 3 nuclear sites in Iran facilities represent a pivotal moment in Middle East geopolitics. While the Trump administration claims success in degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the risk of further escalation remains high. The world now watches to see whether Iran will seek diplomatic resolution or opt for military retaliation, potentially dragging the region into a wider conflict.
For now, the message from Washington is clear: Iran must choose between peace and further devastation.
