In a dramatic escalation that could reshape the entire balance of power in the Middle East, the United States has officially entered the Israel-Iran conflict. On the evening of June 22, 2025, President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces had carried out a massive bombing campaign on three of Iran’s most critical nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — using six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. This unprecedented operation marks the most significant U.S. military strike on Iran in decades and signals a historic shift in American foreign policy.

Breaking: Stealth Bombers Hit Iranian Nuclear Sites in Massive Precision Strike

The announcement came late Saturday night via President Trump’s Truth Social platform. “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump wrote. He emphasized that “all planes are now outside of Iran air space” and revealed that “a full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”

The highly coordinated assault began around 2:30 AM local time in Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic’s most secure nuclear infrastructure. Trump followed up with a stark message: “Fordow is gone,” suggesting that the underground uranium enrichment facility — long considered virtually impenetrable — has been destroyed entirely.

Six B-2 Spirit Bombers in Historic Deployment: The Largest of Its Kind Since WWII

According to U.S. military officials, six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 20, 2025. The aircraft were split into two separate flight groups, codenamed MYTEE 11 and MYTEE 21, each consisting of three bombers. The bombers were supported by eight KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft deployed from Altus, Oklahoma to enable multiple mid-air refueling operations.

Flight path data shows the complexity and reach of the mission, with refueling taking place over Kansas, near the California coast, and even in Hawaiian airspace. These multiple refueling points suggest the bombers were carrying their maximum payload capacity — and likely the most destructive bunker-busting bombs in the U.S. arsenal.

U.S. Deploys Bunker-Busting Bombs for the First Time in Combat

The strike marked the combat debut of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a state-of-the-art 30,000-pound bomb designed specifically to destroy deeply buried and hardened targets. Each B-2 carried two MOPs, the only aircraft in existence capable of delivering this class of weaponry.

The GBU-57 can drill through 200 feet of reinforced concrete or dense earth before detonation, thanks to its hardened steel casing and precision-delayed fuse system. With a 6,000-pound warhead, the bomb ensures maximum destruction after deep penetration — an essential feature when attacking underground facilities like Fordow.

The Price of Precision: Advanced Weaponry and Costly Development

Each GBU-57 comes with a staggering $3.5 million price tag. The total research and development investment in the program is estimated between $400 million and $500 million. But as the strike proves, the results justify the cost: this is technology engineered for one mission — to destroy targets no other weapon can touch.

Why These Targets Matter: Iran’s Strategic Nuclear Triad

Fordow Enrichment Facility: The Heart of Iran’s Nuclear Resistance

Fordow was the primary target — and for good reason. Situated deep inside a mountain near Qom, Fordow was built to withstand a full-scale military assault. Encased in 300 feet of rock and concrete, it took Iran over seven years to construct and had become a symbol of defiance against international oversight. Even under IAEA monitoring, Fordow continued enriching uranium to levels approaching weapons-grade.

Natanz and Esfahan: The Operational Backbone

Alongside Fordow, U.S. bombers struck Natanz and Esfahan, two facilities essential to Iran’s nuclear progress. Natanz housed thousands of centrifuges used for uranium enrichment, while Esfahan was home to the country’s uranium conversion facility and fuel manufacturing complex. Together, these sites formed the operational backbone of Iran’s nuclear strategy.

Strategic Context: Why Now?

This operation didn’t happen in a vacuum. The past week saw a relentless wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian missile sites, radar systems, and troop formations. Israeli and U.S. intelligence concluded that only the B-2 bomber — with its unique stealth and payload capacity — could neutralize Iran’s hardened nuclear sites.

Though Trump had previously hinted he would decide on military involvement “within two weeks,” the speed and scale of this strike suggest the timeline was accelerated behind the scenes. Close coordination with Israeli leadership ensured that both nations were aligned and that the mission would send a unified, unambiguous message.

Trump Declares: “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE”

In a televised follow-up, Trump described the mission as “an absolute success tonight.” He praised the bravery of U.S. personnel and declared: “This is a historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war. No other military in the world could accomplish this mission. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”

This represents a stark pivot for Trump, who had long criticized entangling America in foreign wars. With this strike, his administration has redrawn the red lines of American engagement in the region — with explosive effect.

Iran’s Silence — But Not Without Smoke

Iranian state media, IRNA, reported that Fordow’s air defense systems had been activated during the attack. Residents in Qom described hearing multiple detonations echoing through the mountains. As of this writing, the Iranian government has not issued a formal response.

However, global leaders are already reacting. A panel of United Nations legal experts condemned the strikes as “a flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law,” urging both sides to halt further escalations. The panel warned that the situation could spiral out of control if cooler heads don’t prevail.

The Cost of Conflict: Death Toll Mounting

Since the outbreak of hostilities on June 13, the human cost has been devastating. A Washington-based Iranian human rights group estimates 657 people have been killed in Iran, including 263 civilians. Over 2,000 are reported injured. Israel has also suffered, with 24 citizens confirmed dead and hundreds more wounded.

Military Precision: B-2 Spirit Shows Its Might

This mission highlights the unmatched capabilities of the B-2 Spirit bomber. Operational since 1989, the aircraft remains the cornerstone of America’s strategic bombing force. With stealth that defies enemy radar and the ability to carry up to 40,000 pounds of precision-guided weapons, the B-2 proved once again that it is in a league of its own.

No other aircraft could have pulled off this mission. The MOPs required the combination of stealth, precision, and deep-target penetration — capabilities that the B-2 was uniquely designed to deliver.

What Comes Next? The World Holds Its Breath

The destruction of Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan sets back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years — but it also raises the stakes. Will Iran retaliate? Will the conflict spill across borders? Or could this overwhelming show of force push Tehran back to the negotiating table?

One thing is certain: the world just changed.

This historic strike wasn’t just a display of power — it was a recalibration of the rules. The United States has drawn a line. Whether Iran chooses diplomacy or destruction in response may define the next decade of geopolitics in the Middle East.