US Airstrikes Cause Severe Damage to Multiple Iranian Nuclear Sites

U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, causing extremely severe damage, according to Pentagon officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine. The strikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted the heavily fortified Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, aiming to disrupt Iran's nuclear capabilities without seeking regime change or escalating into full war. President Trump described the nuclear sites as "completely and fully obliterated," while military leaders clarified that a full damage assessment is still underway and that the mission was limited and focused. The Trump administration emphasized it is not at war with Iran but with its nuclear program, and efforts remain to keep diplomatic channels open. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded defiantly, vowing that the Iranian people would not surrender or abandon their nuclear program despite U.S. threats. The Pentagon also revealed extensive deception tactics were used to prevent Iranian detection and retaliation during the strikes.