President Donald Trump announced late Saturday evening that the United States military conducted major airstrikes against Iran’s main nuclear sites.

According to Fox News, the highly coordinated military operation, supported by Israel, targeted and decimated Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan after Iran exited diplomatic talks.

At approximately 10 p.m. Eastern Time on June 21, Trump delivered a televised national address from Washington, D.C., confirming that the U.S. military had carried out a series of carefully planned strikes on Iran. He described the operation as an overwhelming success and praised both American and Israeli forces for their execution and cooperation. Trump’s decision came after Iran backed out of planned nuclear negotiations with the United States scheduled for June 15 in Oman. The cancellation raised concerns about Iran’s accelerating nuclear program and prompted heightened military readiness in the region.

On June 12, more than a week before the U.S. strike, Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian locations, citing the urgency of Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities. The day after those strikes, explosions were reported in Tehran, and on June 16, Iran retaliated by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. Those missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, avoiding casualties and further escalation at that time.

Details Emerge About the Extensive Strike

The U.S. military utilized advanced capabilities for the operation, employing six B-2 stealth bombers that deployed 15-ton bunker-buster bombs at the Fordo site. At the same time, 30 Tomahawk missiles were launched from American submarines to hit nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. The launch tactics were designed to critically halt Iran’s nuclear enrichment operations.

To conceal the operation in its final stages, a deceptive maneuver was executed hours before the strike. Reports indicated a group of B-2 bombers was observed flying toward Guam, suggesting they were not part of the mission. Military experts now believe that a separate set of aircraft, possibly B-1 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, were involved in the actual offensive as part of the coordinated effort known as Operation Rising Lion. According to national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin, the decoy involving the B-2s contributed to the element of surprise. This misdirection ensured that the targets remained unaware until the moment of impact, lending an additional layer of effectiveness to the strategy.

Trump Cites Long History of Regional Hostility

During his address, Trump offered an emotional reflection on Iran’s actions over the past four decades. He recounted casualties from past attacks and attributed significant instability in the Middle East to Tehran’s aggression. The president described Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism and said thousands had suffered due to its policies.

Trump stated that the United States achieved its goal of eliminating what he described as a long-standing threat to global security. He warned that if Iran refuses to seek peace going forward, additional and more devastating strikes could be carried out swiftly using precision tactics. Ahead of the president’s speech, his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, had said on Thursday, June 19, that Trump was weighing military options and would make a decision within two weeks. The White House made no public indication that the order to strike had already been given, and the announcement came as a surprise to many observers.

U.S. and Israel Present United Front

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heavily involved in preparing for the operation. He and Trump coordinated on targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, including several top military officials in Iran, whose deaths have since been confirmed.

Trump praised Netanyahu during his address, emphasizing the deep cooperation between the two nations. He described the mission as a joint achievement and commended Israeli leadership and armed forces for their efforts. “We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” Trump said, noting that this joint strategy played a vital role in neutralizing the threat. He added that the operation had gone a long way toward securing peace and stability in the Middle East.

Future Military Action Remains on the Table

In a stern message directed at Iran’s leadership, Trump said additional targets have already been identified and can be struck with even greater force if Tehran refuses to engage in peaceful talks. He warned that Saturday’s missions were the most dangerous and complex, but others could be executed faster and with severe results.

“There will be either peace or there will be tragedy,” Trump said. He stressed that the United States remains prepared to act again if necessary and described the military's capabilities as unmatched by any global force. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are scheduled to provide more operational details during a press conference on Sunday at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The briefing is expected to offer further explanation of target selection and strategic outcomes.

Operation Unfolded Without Media Leaks

The announcement marked one of the most tightly held military actions in recent history, with no prior media reports or leaks ahead of the strike. Trump initially posted a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, alerting the public just before going live on television.

He concluded his speech by offering gratitude to members of the U.S. military for what he called their exceptional performance. He also thanked the public, faith leaders, and allies across the region for their support. “God bless the Middle East. God bless Israel, and God bless America,” Trump said as he closed out his national address. He also personally thanked God for protection and guidance during what he called a historic military effort.