Washington — The United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump announced Saturday evening, calling them a “spectacular military success.”

“The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear assemblies in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan,” President Trump said in a national address from the White House Saturday night. “Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”

Prior to his address, the president wrote on his Truth Social platform that a “full payload of BOMBS” was dropped on the “primary site” Fordo. The president also said all U.S. planes made it safely out of Iranian airspace.

And in second post, Mr. Trump wrote: “This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISTAEL (sic), AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!”

Trump warns Iran against retaliating after U.S. strikes

The president addressed the nation regarding the strikes late Saturday night, saying that “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated” and issuing a warning to Iran to strive for a peace deal in its war with Israel.

President Trump with his Cabinet in the Situation Room of the White House as the U.S. conducts strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. June 21, 2025. White House

“There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,” Mr. Trump said while flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Remember, there are many targets left.”

Mr. Trump added that “if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”

Iran has pledged to retaliate if the U.S. joined the Israeli assault, which began with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military targets on June 13. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.

But in a follow-up social media post following his national address, Mr. Trump said that “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”

Early Sunday morning, Iran fired around 30 missiles at Israel, the IDF told CBS News, four of which made it through the country’s missile defense systems and caused injuries and extensive damage.

What we know so far about the U.S. strikes

Defense Department officials confirmed that American B-2 Spirit bombers were used to strike Fordo early Sunday local time, with each of those B-2s armed with U.S.-produced “bunker-buster” bombs known as the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, or MOPs — bombs so heavy that they could only be dropped by a B-2.

At a Pentagon briefing Sunday morning, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said seven B-2s from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri dropped a total of 14 MOPs against two nuclear target areas — “the first-ever operational use of this weapon,” he said. Caine said about two dozen submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles targeted the Isfahan site.

“Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Caine said.

A map showing Iran’s major nuclear facilities. CBS News

He said Iran does not appear to have returned fire during the mission, which the U.S. dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer.

Fordo, the site of a high-grade uranium enrichment facility that international experts believe is key to Iran’s nuclear program, is buried almost 300 feet beneath a mountain and protected by significant air defenses. The MOP was considered to be the weapon with the best chance of destroying the Fordo facility.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the strikes “an incredible and overwhelming success.”

“We devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it’s worth noting that the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people,” Hegseth said at the briefing alongside Caine.

The U.S. reached out to Iran diplomatically Saturday to say the strikes are all the U.S. plans and that regime change efforts are not planned, the sources said. Earlier this week, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News that Mr. Trump opposed an Israeli plan to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader.

Not all U.S. allies in the region who house U.S. troops that are part of U.S. Central Command were informed in advance of the coming U.S. plan to strike in Iran, according to diplomatic sources. Some of the allies were informed as the planes were in the air.

The United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Agency stated in a social media post that it confirmed “no increase in off-site radiation levels” in the wake of the U.S. strikes.

What Israeli and Iranian officials are saying

The U.S. alerted Israel ahead of the strikes, two White House officials told CBS News. Mr. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke following the strikes, the officials said. And in a video address, Netanyahu praised the president for conducting the strikes.

“President Trump and I often say peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”

In a press conference in Istanbul Sunday morning, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran condemned “in the strongest terms the United States brutal military aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.”

“The warmongering and lawless administration in Washington is solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far reaching implement- implications of its act of aggression,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran would “will never compromise over their independence and sovereignty.”

In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sunday that the U.S., with its strikes, had “practically placed itself at the forefront of aggression by directly attacking peaceful facilities.”

The IRGC vowed “regrettable responses” to the U.S. strikes, adding that “the number, dispersion, and size of U.S. military bases in the region are not a strength, but have doubled their vulnerability.”

Araghchi said he would travel on Sunday to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for “serious consultations,” citing Iran and Russia’s “strategic partnership.”

In statements conveyed by Russia’s state-run news agencies on Sunday, the Kremlin strongly condemned the U.S. attacks on Iran, calling them an irresponsible violation of international law that would significantly increase the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Homeland Security officials are monitoring for potential physical and cyber reprisals from the U.S. attack, domestically amid a “very high” threat level and with the “red line” of the Iranian response doctrine now crossed, CBS News has learned.

“We’re in unchartered territory,” one U.S. intelligence official told CBS News, while speaking about potential Iranian threats to the U.S. homeland. “We don’t know how Iran will react to this because this is the highest rate of tension and conflict we’ve had in recent history. We’re just not sure how the Khomeini regime will react.”

The official added that assessments range from little to no action on the part of Iranians to desperate and drastic action.

U.S. lawmakers give mixed response

House Speaker Mike Johnson was briefed ahead of the strikes, according to a source familiar.

The response from U.S. lawmakers has been mixed. Some Republicans, including Johnson, expressed support for the strikes, while others, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, an ardent Trump supporter, posted on X that “this is not our fight.”

Both Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the president for not seeking congressional authorization for the strikes.

“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries said.

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement that Mr. Trump campaigned on a promise to “‘end the endless foreign wars.'”

“Tonight, he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what’s at stake,” Warner said.

The events that led up to the surprise strikes

Earlier Saturday, multiple U.S. officials had confirmed to CBS News that B-2 bombers had departed Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri en route to Guam. Multiple U.S. aerial refueling tankers were spotted on commercial flight trackers flying flight patterns consistent with escorting aircraft from the central U.S. to the Pacific. Sunday morning, Gen. Caine said that was a “deception effort,” known to very few, and that the B-2s involved in the strike departed separately on an eastward flight path.

The U.S. strikes come after Araghchi met with European officials in Geneva Friday and said he was open to further dialogue.

“Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again,” Araghchi said, adding, “I stress that Iran’s defense capabilities are not negotiable. (But) I express our readiness to meet again in the near future.”

On Thursday, the president said he would decide whether to strike Iran “within the next two weeks.” One source told CBS News at the time that Mr. Trump “believes there’s not much choice. Finishing the job means destroying Fordo.”

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said earlier Saturday that the U.S. had begun evacuating Americans and green card holders out of Israel aboard assisted departure flights. Two flights departed from Tel Aviv to Athens with approximately 70 U.S. citizens, their accompanying immediate family members and lawful permanent residents, the State Department said prior to Mr. Trump’s announcement of the strikes.

Vice President JD Vance and President Trump in Situation Room, June 21, 2025. White House

Meanwhile, the White House released photos of the Situation Room during the strikes. In the room with the president were Vance, Hegseth, Rubio, chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, deputy national security adviser Andy Baker, White House general counsel David Warrington and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Gabbard’s presence in the room was significant, as on Friday, Mr. Trump told reporters that she was “wrong” when she testified to Congress in March that Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon.

, , , , and contributed to this report.

Correction: This story has been updated to make clear Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was called before the strike, not after as initially reported.

CNN —

President Donald Trump and his team were in contact with top congressional Republicans before his strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but some key Democrats were not told of his plans until after the bombs had dropped, according to multiple people familiar with the plans.

The top two Republicans in Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, were both notified of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities ahead of time, according to multiple GOP sources.

People familiar with the matter initially told CNN that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries received notifications shortly before the public announcement — and after the attack itself.

But after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt disputed that account, a source conceded that Schumer had been called around 6 p.m. – a little less than an hour before the strikes began – with little detail. He was told of imminent military action without naming the country in which the action was to take place, the source said.

Leavitt wrote on X that the administration made “bipartisan courtesy calls to Congressional leadership” and spoke to Schumer in advance of the strikes. She said that Jeffries “could not be reached until after, but he was briefed.” Sources familiar with the matter said the administration made multiple efforts to reach Jeffries in advance of the strikes after talking to Schumer.

But Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrats on the Senate and House intelligence committees, were not told until after the strikes had occurred, sources said.

Reaction to the strikes has so far broken along predictable partisan lines.

Republicans in Congress overwhelmingly lined up behind the president after the surprise strikes as most Democrats swiftly condemned his decision to launch them without congressional approval and demanded classified briefings.

Johnson and Thune both made clear within minutes that they would stand by Trump, followed by dozens of GOP lawmakers who posted their support.

“Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act,” Johnson wrote on X, defending Trump’s decision to move unilaterally. “The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight’s necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, left, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, seen in April. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

As of Saturday night, only three GOP lawmakers were publicly skeptical of Trump’s move — including one, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who was already expected to force a full vote in the House next week on whether to restrict Trump’s war powers.

The president’s airstrikes on Saturday night will now supercharge an already-tense debate in Congress over the limits of his war powers, with both the House and Senate expected to take votes in the coming days.

Warner railed on the Trump administration’s decision to strike Iran, “without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what’s at stake.”

Video Ad Feedback Fareed Zakaria reacts to US striking nuclear sites in Iran 02:32 – Source: CNN Fareed Zakaria reacts to US striking nuclear sites in Iran 02:32

“The American people deserve more than vague rhetoric and unilateral decisions that could set off a wider war. The president must come before Congress immediately to articulate clear strategic objectives and lay out how he plans to protect American lives and ensure we are not once again drawn into a costly, unnecessary, and avoidable conflict,” Warner said.

His fellow Virginia Democrat, Sen. Tim Kaine, confirmed that he still plans to force a full Senate vote asserting Congress’ role, after initially introducing the resolution last week requiring Trump to seek congressional approval before any strikes on Iran.

“I will push for all Senators to vote on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war,” Kaine said in a statement, adding that the American public remains opposed to US involvement in the conflict.

Massie, the Kentucky Republican who is leading the push in the House, said simply in response to Trump’s airstrikes announcement: “This is not Constitutional.”

Democrats are also likely to press the White House on its decision not to inform their top officials until after the strike was carried out.

Democrats on the “Gang of Eight,” which includes the congressional leaders from each party and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees, typically would be briefed before a significant US military engagement. A White House official said the administration made calls to some members of Congress before the strikes as a “courtesy heads-up” but did not address the partisan breakdown of who was notified.

In the aftermath of the strike, many Democrats released statements criticizing Trump for going ahead with the strikes without congressional approval, with Illinois Rep. Sean Casten calling it an “impeachable offense.”

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont declared the action “grossly unconstitutional,” while Jeffries warned that US troops in the region could face retaliation from Iran as he demanded immediate classified briefings for lawmakers.

Video Ad Feedback President Trump addresses the nation after US strikes nuclear sites in Iran 03:33 – Source: CNN President Trump addresses the nation after US strikes nuclear sites in Iran 03:33

“Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver on that promise. The risk of war has now dramatically increased, and I pray for the safety of our troops in the region who have been put in harm’s way,” the New York Democrat said. “President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.”

As of Saturday night, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the sole congressional Democrat to praise the strikes, posting on X, “As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”

While most House and Senate Republicans were quick to support the strikes as the “right decision” or the “correct move,” a small number of House conservatives warned that the strikes required congressional approval.

Rep. Warren Davidson, an ex-Army ranger who has previously accused Congress of having “seemingly surrendered its power over war” post-9/11, raised questions about Trump’s authorities.

“While President Trump’s decision may prove just, it’s hard to conceive a rationale that’s Constitutional. I look forward to his remarks tonight,” the Ohio Republican wrote on X.

Before Trump announced the strikes, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also warned against striking Iran in a post on X. “Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war. There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first. Israel is a nuclear armed nation. This is not our fight. Peace is the answer,” the Georgia Republican wrote.

After the strikes, she added, “Let us join together and pray for the safety of our U.S. troops and Americans in the Middle East. Let us pray that we are not attacked by terrorists on our homeland after our border was open for the past 4 years and over 2 Million gotaways came in.”

CNN’s Manu Raju, Lauren Fox, Haley Britzky and Alayna Treene contributed to this report.

Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

As calls grow within Iran for closing the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US attacks on its nuclear sites, a key diplomatic and economic backer of Tehran would stand to lose from that decision: China.

Connecting the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open ocean, the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical oil checkpoints in the world. Some 20 million barrels per day of crude oil, or 20% of the global consumption, flowed through the narrow strait between Iran and Oman last year, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

For China, the world’s largest importer of oil and the biggest buyer of crude from Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is even more important.

China imported 5.4 million barrels of crude every day through the strait in the first three months of 2025, according to the EIA’s estimates. That’s equivalent to about half of China’s daily average crude imports in the first quarter of the year, according to CNN’s calculation based on Chinese customs data.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted that vulnerability when he called on China to dissuade Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz.

“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, adding that closing the strait would hurt other countries’ economies more than the US economy.

China remains by far Iran’s largest energy buyer, though it has not reported purchases of Iranian oil in its official customs data since 2022, according to analysts. Some 90% of Iran’s oil exports now go to China, according to commodities data company Kpler, providing a key lifeline to Tehran’s heavily sanctioned economy.

China has condemned US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying the move “exacerbates tensions in the Middle East.” It has not commented on the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.