The United States has launched airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a significant escalation in the conflict involving Israel and Iran. US President Donald Trump announced the successful completion of these attacks, stating that “all planes are now outside of Iran airspace.” He congratulated American forces and emphasized this was a major military achievement.

Fordow facility Fordow facility – The most secretive nuclear site The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, located about 100km southwest of Tehran, is Iran’s most secretive and heavily protected nuclear site. It was designed to withstand airstrikes and foreign interference. The facility was originally part of a missile base controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but its existence was exposed by Western intelligence agencies in 2009.

Natanz facility Natanz facility – Iran’s crown jewel of uranium enrichment Located 220km southeast of Tehran, the Natanz facility is known as “Iran’s crown jewel of uranium enrichment.” It has been a focal point of international concern and operates a significant number of centrifuges. Israel had recently targeted this site, causing damage, but the extent of contamination remains unclear. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not confirmed specific details regarding contamination at the site.

Isfahan facility Isfahan site – Iran’s largest nuclear research center The Isfahan site, established with Chinese support in 1984, is home to Iran’s largest nuclear research center within the University of Isfahan. It employs a significant number of nuclear scientists and houses research reactors and laboratories. The facility plays a central role in Iran’s atomic program, with a uranium conversion facility and a nuclear fuel fabrication plant.

Donald Trump told the American public and the world that the US ‘completely obliterated’ Iran’s main nuclear sites after striking them. The president later added that the US military used six massive bunker buster bombs and 30 Tomahawk missiles to decimate the nuclear facilities. But how effective are these weapons? read more

A GBU-57, or the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri. The US used six of these bunker-busters to target Iran’s Fordow nuclear site on Sunday. File image/AP

The United States has done it. It has inserted itself into Israel’s war against Iran — by carrying out strikes against three nuclear plants in Tehran. US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the strikes had “totally obliterated” Iran’s main nuclear sites and that Washington would go after more targets if Iran did not make peace quickly.

“Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success,” said Trump, adding that they targeted the crucial underground nuclear enrichment plant of Fordow along with facilities at Natanz and Isfahan.

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“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace,” said Trump.

Speaking on the strikes to Fox News, Trump said that six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were fired against other nuclear sites. This is the first time that the US has made use of its bunker-busting bomb — also known as Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs.

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As the war now escalates with Iran, we take a closer look at the different types of bombs and missiles that the US used in taking out the Iranian sites.

US strikes on Iran

On Sunday (June 22), the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran, with the aim of destroying the country’s nuclear programme. Following the strikes, US President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House, asserting that Iran’s key nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated.” However, there is no independent damage assessment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the strikes, saying that “with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history”.

People sit at a bar counter as a television screen displays the address to the nation by US President Donald Trump, after he said that a “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites had been carried out in Iran, in Washington, DC. Reuters

Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, warned in a post on X that the US. attacks “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations also called for an emergency Security Council meeting to discuss what he described as the US’ “heinous attacks and illegal use of force” against Iran.

Bunker-busting bombs

The bunker buster is a broad term used to describe bombs, which have the ability penetrate deep below the surface before exploding. To target Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant, the US used the latest GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb. This is a roughly 13,600 kg precision-guided bomb designed to attack deeply buried and hardened bunkers and tunnels, according to the US Air Force.

This bomb is able to penetrate about 200 feet (61 metres) below the surface before exploding, and the bombs can be dropped one after another, effectively drilling deeper and deeper with each successive blast.

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This bomb also comes with a delayed-action smart fuse. This means the warhead does not detonate on impact, but rather does so only when it reaches a halt underground.

However, there’s one drawback in using the bunker-buster bomb — it can only be launched by America’s B-2 bombers. Experts say that this is because of the bomb’s weight; it is considered too heavy to carry by the other aircraft. This is a problem because the US Air Force has just 19 B-2 bombers currently in service.

Tomahawk missiles

In addition to using the bunker-buster bombs at Fordow, Trump told Fox News that the US military fired 30 Tomahawk missiles at Iran’s Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites . But what exactly are Tomahawk missiles? How deadly are they?

The Tomahawk is an intermediate-range, subsonic cruise missile that is launched from US Navy ships and submarines. It provides a long-range, deep strike capability. The development of this missile began in 1972 by the US Navy and was designed to fly at subsonic speed while maintaining a low altitude, making it difficult to detect on radar.

The US fires a Tomahawk cruise missile. File image/AFP

It was first used by America during the Gulf War in 1991 in Operation Desert Storm against Iraqi targets and was again used by the US forces during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

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Today, the Tomahawk missile reportedly costs about $2 million each and measures 18.3 feet long, weighs 3,200 pounds (4,400 with booster), and carries a 1,000-pound conventional warhead or cluster munitions. It travels at 550 mph (Mach 0.74), with a range of 1,550–2,500 kilometres (1,000–1,500 miles), guided by GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching for accuracy within 10 metres.

With inputs from agencies

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday evening that the United States had carried out a large-scale military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring the operation “a complete success.”

The targets included the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites—critical elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” was executed using advanced U.S. weaponry and in coordination with Israel.

According to the White House, stealth B-2 bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles were used in the strike.

Key Targets and Strike Details

Fordow Facility: Considered the highest-priority target, it was reportedly hit with six 15-ton bunker-buster bombs dropped by B-2 stealth bombers.

Natanz and Isfahan Sites: Each was struck by multiple Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. Navy submarines.

“All aircraft are now out of Iranian airspace,” Trump confirmed during a press statement. “A full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow. We have completed a highly successful attack on all three nuclear sites.”

Israeli Coordination

Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that Israeli officials were informed of the operation in advance. According to sources, Trump personally contacted Israeli leadership following the strike, telling them: “We had a great success tonight. Your Israel is now much safer.”

Israeli sources told i24NEWS that the U.S. and Israel had coordinated a public show of disagreement in recent days to mislead Tehran and maintain the element of surprise.

Iranian Response

Iranian authorities acknowledged the strikes. A spokesperson for the Qom Crisis Management Center told state media that “part of the Fordow nuclear site area was attacked by enemy air forces.” The deputy governor of Isfahan also confirmed “intrusions near nuclear facilities,” without elaborating on the extent of the damage.

U.S. Leadership Reacts

President Trump is scheduled to address the nation at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Sources cited by CNN say the administration views the strike as a strategic move to revive diplomatic efforts and is not currently planning additional military action.

Reaction from U.S. lawmakers was swift and supportive:

Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on social media: “This was the right decision. The regime deserves it. Well done, President Donald Trump.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was briefed prior to the strike, stated: “This action prevents the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet.”

The strike represents a major escalation in efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and sends a clear message about the willingness of the U.S. and its allies to act militarily if diplomacy fails.

In a high-stakes military operation, the United States deployed some of its most advanced conventional weapons, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles, in coordinated strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. The rare use of these powerful weapons signals a sharp escalation in efforts to disable Iran’s deeply buried and fortified nuclear infrastructure.

About GBU-57 Bunker Busters

According to reports, six GBU-57 bunker-busters were dropped on the Fordow nuclear facility by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, marking the first-ever operational use of this 30,000-pound weapon. Designed to destroy hardened underground targets, the GBU-57 is capable of penetrating up to 200 feet of earth or 60 feet of reinforced concrete before detonating. The bomb’s sheer size and kinetic force make it uniquely suited to strike facilities like Fordow, which is built into a mountain near the city of Qom.

Each B-2 bomber can carry up to two MOPs, and its stealth design allows it to bypass sophisticated air defence systems. These features made it the aircraft of choice for the high-risk mission. The B-2’s ability to fly long-range, undetected, and deliver precision payloads is critical in missions where conventional bombs would prove ineffective.

About Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

Simultaneously, the US Navy launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles from submarines stationed in the region. These missiles targeted other key nuclear-related sites in Natanz and Isfahan, facilities integral to Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Tomahawks are long-range, precision-guided missiles capable of being launched from sea or land. With a range of approximately 1,000 miles, they can hit targets with extreme accuracy and minimal warning, making them a cornerstone of US tactical strike capabilities.

This operation is among the most direct US military interventions against Iran’s nuclear programme to date. The decision to use the GBU-57 MOP, a weapon developed precisely for scenarios where underground facilities are otherwise unreachable, displays the seriousness with which the US and Israel view Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

While the Pentagon has not officially confirmed all operational details, President Donald Trump acknowledged the strikes and emphasized their success. As global tensions rise, the deployment of these advanced weapons is being closely watched for its strategic implications and potential fallout in an already volatile Middle East.

US B-2 Bombers Flew 37 Hours Non-Stop, Refuelled Mid-Air To Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites: Report

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News18.com

Last Updated: June 22, 2025, 11:09 IST

The US military used six B-2 bombers and dropped a dozen GBU-57 “bunker-busting bombs” and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran’s three nuclear facilities.

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The United States used six B-2 bombers and dropped a dozen GBU-57 “bunker-busting bombs” and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran’s three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz on Sunday.

US B-2 bombers struck three nuclear sites in Iran. (Reuters)

The B-2 bombers that struck the nuclear sites flew non-stop for about 37 hours from their base in Missouri and refuelled several times mid-air, a US official told the New York Times on the condition of anonymity.

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The Fordow nuclear site, which is an underground facility buried deep in the mountains, was deemed unreachable by Israeli weapons and only the “bunker-buster” bombs could strike it effectively. These 13,600 kg bombs could only be carried by the B-2 bombers.

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In April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the US to use its bunker-buster bombs to destroy the underground nuclear site at Fordow. Saturday’s strikes marked the first time that the US Air Force had used the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator in combat.

The B-2 is one of America’s most advanced strategic weapons platforms, capable of entering sophisticated air defences and delivering precision strikes against hardened targets such as Iran’s buried network of nuclear research facilities.

On Saturday, the B-2 bombers were deployed to the Pacific island of Guam, suggesting a possible strike on Iran’s nuke sites. One B-2 also dropped two bunker busters on Natanz on Sunday, according to a US official.

Some reports indicated that the Fordow nuclear site was “completely destroyed”, citing initial assessments. However, Iran’s Atomic Energy Commission said there was no radioactive contamination and that residents were safe.

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An Israeli intelligence official told CNN that it was too early for a reliable battle damage assessment of the US strikes on Iran. Israeli leaders showered Trump with praises for his “bold decision” to attack Iran.

Trump’s decision to join Israel marked a major escalation in the conflict after Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear sites and military assets in an unprecedented assault since last week. More than 400 people were killed in the Israeli offensive.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: June 22, 2025, 11:09 IST