2025 United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2025 United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites |
|
|---|---|
| Part of the Twelve-Day War | |
| Location | Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran |
| Planned by |  United States |
| Commanded by | Donald Trump Anthony J. Cotton Michael Kurilla |
| Objective | Destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities |
| Date | June 22, 2025 02:10–02:35 (IRST) |
| Executed by | |
| Outcome | Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
Per U.S. officials:
Per leaked DIA report
Per Israeli intelligence
Per Iran:
Per the IAEA:
|
| Casualties | None |
On June 22, 2025, the United States Air Force and Navy carried out attacks on three important nuclear facilities in Iran. This operation, code-named Operation Midnight Hammer, was part of the Twelve-Day War. The targets were the Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center. U.S. forces used powerful "bunker buster" bombs from B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from a submarine. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that F-35 and F-22 fighter jets also flew into Iranian airspace. Their goal was to make Iran's air defenses react, but no missile launches were detected.
This attack was the only offensive action by the United States during the Twelve-Day War. That conflict started on June 13, 2025, with attacks by Israel and ended with a ceasefire on June 24, 2025. President Trump announced that the strikes had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear enrichment sites. A report from July 2025 suggested that Iran's nuclear program was delayed by about two years. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that the nuclear sites had suffered serious damage. After the strikes, Iran responded by attacking a U.S. military base in Qatar. The next day, a ceasefire was announced between Iran and Israel. On July 2, 2025, Iran stopped working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Contents
Understanding the 2025 Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
Why Did the Strikes Happen?
The attacks on Iran's nuclear sites were a major event in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The main goal was to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Many countries, especially the United States and Israel, were worried about Iran's nuclear program.
Iran's Nuclear Program: A Brief History
Iran's nuclear program began many years ago, with help from the U.S. in the 1950s. Initially, it was for peaceful uses like generating electricity. In 1968, Iran signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This treaty aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Iran's leaders continued the nuclear program. They said it was for electricity and defense.
In 2015, Iran and several world powers, including the U.S. (under President Barack Obama), reached an agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This deal limited Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for removing economic penalties. However, in 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from this agreement. He believed the deal was not strong enough to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Growing Tensions and Concerns
After the U.S. left the JCPOA, Iran began to increase its uranium enrichment. Uranium enriched to high levels can be used to make nuclear bombs. By May 2025, the IAEA reported that Iran had a large amount of highly enriched uranium. This amount was enough for several nuclear weapons if enriched further. Iran stated that it increased enrichment because the U.S. had left the 2015 agreement. The IAEA also reported that Iran was not fully cooperating with inspections.
Israel has always seen the possibility of Iran having nuclear weapons as a serious threat. Israel has previously attacked nuclear facilities in other countries to prevent them from getting nuclear weapons. The conflict between Iran and Israel had become more intense since late 2023. The U.S. has historically supported Israel's security.
U.S. Military Preparation for the Strikes
The Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant was a key target. It is located deep underground, inside a mountain, making it very difficult to destroy. Military experts believed that special "bunker buster" bombs, like the GBU-57A/B MOP, were needed. Only the U.S. military has these powerful bombs and the B-2 stealth bombers to deliver them.
For about 15 years, two officers from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) studied the Fordow site. Their work helped develop the special bunker-buster bomb. They monitored every detail of the facility. U.S. officials believed that such a deep, fortified complex could not be for peaceful purposes.
In the weeks before June 22, 2025, the U.S. took steps to prepare. They moved military forces and aircraft. They also evacuated U.S. citizens from the region. President Trump made statements hinting at a major action. On June 19, he said he would decide on military action within two weeks. However, this was later revealed to be a trick to surprise Iran. Israeli officials urged Trump to act quickly, saying there was a small window of opportunity.
On June 21, the day before the attack, six B-2 stealth bombers flew westward over the Pacific Ocean. This was a decoy mission to mislead Iranian defenders. Only a small number of planners knew the true details of the operation. About 4,000 American personnel were involved in the preparations.
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The Strikes: How They Unfolded
The operation, named "Midnight Hammer," began on June 22, 2025. Seven B-2 bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri flew east towards the Middle East. The flight lasted 18 hours, with several mid-air refuelings. Before the B-2s, U.S. fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22 entered Iranian airspace. Their mission was to draw out any Iranian air defenses. No defensive fire was detected, possibly due to earlier Israeli attacks on Iran's air defense systems.
At 2:10 a.m. Iran Standard Time, six B-2s began dropping 12 GBU-57A/B MOP bombs on the Fordow facility. The seventh B-2 dropped two MOPs on Natanz. At Fordow, the bombs were dropped one after another into two ventilation shafts. The first bomb removed a concrete cap, allowing the others to penetrate deep into the mountain. A U.S. submarine also launched 30 Tomahawk missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan sites. The entire bombing operation lasted almost 30 minutes.
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The B-2 bombers flew for about 37 hours in total. Around 125 aircraft were involved in the mission, including refueling and surveillance planes. U.S. officials stated that both male and female pilots participated.
What Was the Damage?
After the strikes, satellite images of the Fordow site showed signs of bomb impacts and ash. U.S. military officials reported that the Iranian nuclear sites suffered "severe damage." However, the full extent of the damage took time to assess.
Early reports from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested the strikes damaged surface structures and entrances but did not destroy the underground facilities. This report estimated a delay of a few months for Iran's nuclear program. However, the Pentagon later stated that the program was set back by one to two years. U.S. intelligence officials also said that the Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan sites were severely damaged and would take years to rebuild.
Iranian officials confirmed that their nuclear facilities had sustained "significant and serious damages." The IAEA director general, Rafael Grossi, also confirmed "severe damage" but not "total destruction." By September 2025, Grossi stated that "almost all sensitive equipment" at Fordow had been destroyed. He also noted that if Iran chose to enrich its existing uranium stockpile to 90 percent, it could do so in a few weeks. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) reported no signs of radiation contamination or dangers to nearby residents.
Immediate Reactions and Aftermath
Statements from U.S. Leaders
After the strikes, President Trump announced on Truth Social that the attack was "very successful." He stated that all planes were safely returning home. He also warned that any retaliation by Iran would be met with "force far greater than what was witnessed tonight."
Later, U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, confirmed the mission's success. They stated that changing Iran's government was not the goal of the operation. However, President Trump later suggested he would be open to seeing a change in Iran's leadership. U.S. officials also admitted they did not know the exact location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, believing it might have been moved before the strikes.
Iran's Response
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned the strikes. He called them a "reckless violation of the UN Charter and international law." Iran stated it would use all options to defend itself. Iranian officials claimed they were not surprised by the attack and had evacuated Fordow. They also said no irreversible damage occurred.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) called the attacks "a barbaric act." They announced plans to seek justice in international court and continue their nuclear program. On July 2, 2025, Iran stopped cooperating with the IAEA. They criticized the IAEA for not condemning the U.S. and Israel for the attacks.
World Leaders React
Reactions from around the world were mixed. Many countries expressed concern about the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Some leaders, like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, congratulated President Trump. Netanyahu called the decision "historic" and praised the U.S. for acting to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
Other countries, like China and Russia, condemned the strikes. They called them a violation of international law and the UN Charter. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the strikes as a "dangerous escalation" and called for diplomacy. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, warned that the attack risked "collapsing the global nuclear nonproliferation regime."
Iran's allies in the region, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, also condemned the strikes. However, Hezbollah stated it would not retaliate directly. The Houthis in Yemen also condemned the attacks and threatened to resume attacking American ships.
Economic Impact
After the strikes, global oil prices did not change much. The Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route, remained open due to diplomatic efforts and the ceasefire. Prices for Brent Oil and natural gas even decreased slightly. The average price of gasoline in the United States reached a four-year low.
See also
In Spanish: Ataques de Estados Unidos contra Irán de 2025 para niños
