Monday, 25 May 2026
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
U.S. launches airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites
The U.S. military carried out airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on Sunday morning, President Trump announced, according to Axios.
Why it matters: This direct military intervention, aimed at supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, represents a significant escalation in Middle East tensions.
* The decision carries immense risk and uncertainty—a path that both Trump and previous presidents had long tried to avoid by pursuing diplomatic solutions with Iran.
* Striking on the ninth night of the unprecedented conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. attack could trigger retaliatory actions from Tehran against American forces and assets throughout the region.
What they’re saying: “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,” President Trump posted on his Truth Social account.
* He added, “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow,” referring to Iran’s most heavily fortified uranium enrichment facility.
* “There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
The latest: In the days preceding the strikes, Trump and his advisors grew increasingly convinced that diplomatic efforts had reached a dead end, concluding that military action was now necessary to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
* On Thursday, Trump had publicly stated he would decide “in the next two weeks” to give Iran one last opportunity to negotiate. However, preparations for the strikes intensified over the weekend.
* On Saturday, multiple B-2 stealth bombers—capable of carrying massive 30,000-pound “bunker-buster” bombs—were spotted heading west across the Pacific, fueling speculation about a potential strike on Fordow.
* Trump had previously cast doubt on Israel’s ability to neutralize Fordow alone, remarking on Friday, “They can break through a little section, but they can’t go down very deep.”