US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a full-scale airstrike was carried out on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities. The targets included Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, all of which received what he called a “full payload of bombs,” according to a post on Truth Social.
The strike involved the use of the powerful GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) — a bomb capable of penetrating up to 200 feet underground. Experts say only such a bomb could potentially reach the deeply buried Fordow site.
Israel said the attack was carried out in full coordination with the US. However, Iranian sources claimed the sites had already been evacuated, minimizing the damage.
How Did This Start?
On June 13, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks. The back-and-forth airstrikes have now lasted more than a week.The US intervening at this stage has raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
Fears of Retaliation
Though Iran has suffered losses to its regional allies like Hezbollah and Hamas, experts warn it still poses a threat. US military bases, naval hubs, and vital shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz could all be potential Iranian targets.
Legal Background
Under US law, Congress alone has the power to declare war, but the president, as Commander-in-Chief, can initiate military operations. Similar to Trump’s 2017 airstrike in Syria, this operation was done without Congressional approval.