Trump confirms successful strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities

On June 22, 2025, the United States carried out significant military operations against three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. President Donald Trump confirmed via social media that U.S. warplanes effectively executed these strikes, describing them as 'very successful'. Reports indicate that six Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker buster bombs, each weighing 30,000 pounds, were specifically deployed at the Fordow facility, marking a considerable escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions following the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. In the hours leading up to this announcement, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers had been repositioned from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to the Indo-Pacific region, showcasing U.S. military readiness and strategic signaling. The attacks were conducted following a period of heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran, which had begun escalating significantly since an Israeli strike on Iranian sites on June 13. Iran had reportedly been preparing for potential bombings at Fordow for several nights, illustrating anticipation of a U.S. response. The strikes themselves come within a broader context of military and geopolitical calculations. Notably, these military actions were labeled unauthorized by some lawmakers, such as Rep. Thomas Massie, signaling a divide in political opinion regarding military engagement in Iran. Critics on both sides of the aisle expressed concerns over the implications of bypassing typical Congressional briefing procedures, particularly emphasizing that key Democratic leaders were not informed prior to the strikes. This situation underlines a certain level of tension between executive military authority and legislative oversight in significant military operations. In the aftermath of the strikes, the White House indicated that these operations would not be expanded further, focusing specifically on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. As a precautionary measure, the New York Police Department increased security resources across New York, particularly in areas associated with religious and diplomatic significance. The U.S. approach underscores an attempt to address an urgent security threat while navigating the complex political landscape at home and abroad, as both the administration and Iran navigate the fallout from these military engagements.