Trump repeats claim Iran nuclear facilities 'completely obliterated' as reports question extent of damage

Some news outlets reported that the Iranian nuclear sites struck by US bombs were damaged, but not completely destroyed
Trump slammed reports that claimed air strikes on Iran nuclear sites were not a complete success (Getty Images, Maxar Technologies)
Trump slammed reports that claimed air strikes on Iran nuclear sites were not a complete success (Getty Images, Maxar Technologies)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump lashed out on Sunday, June 22, against reports by several media outlets claiming that his attack on Iran's nuclear sites was not a complete success.

The news outlets reported that the nuclear sites struck by US bombs were damaged, but not completely destroyed, despite the POTUS insisting the facilities were "completely and totally obliterated", according to Mediaite.



 

Trump slams reports about damage caused by air strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Trump took to his Truth Social account on Sunday and wrote, "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!"

He added, "The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame," referring to satellite images of the Fordow facility.

In this handout provided by the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. According to the Pentagon, three of Iran’s nuclear sites sustained “severe damage” from the U.S. strikes. (Photo by Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, DC (Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images)

"The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!," the POTUS concluded.

Following the air strike in Iran, President Trump announced on Truth Social on Saturday, June 21, "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, DC (Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images)

He added, "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Meanwhile, senior Pentagon officials revealed on Sunday new details about the operation to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) is accompanied by newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner (R) and other guests as they head for a flag-raising ceremony for a newly installed flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House on June 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump had two 100 foot flagpoles installed on the White House grounds as part of a “personal project” that Trump said he personally paid for. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump is accompanied by newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner (Right) and other guests as they head for a flag-raising ceremony for a newly installed flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House on June 18, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was the "largest B-2 operational strike in US history", and inflicted "extremely severe damage and destruction" to the targets, according to CBS News.

General Dan Caine, the chairman, said in a briefing at the Pentagon, "This was a highly classified mission with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of this plan."

President Trump calls for regime change in Iran

Donald Trump floated the idea of a regime change in Iran after striking its nuclear sites over the weekend.

However, this is different to the opinions some officials in his administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed after the strikes.

In this handout provided by the White House, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Left) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit in the Situation Room as they monitor the mission that took out three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, at the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, DC (Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images)

The POTUS wrote on Truth Social, "It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"

Interestingly, his aides, including Vice President JD Vance, dismissed the regime change idea, soon after the strikes on the Middle Eastern country's nuclear sites.

CALGARY, ALBERTA - JUNE 16: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One after leaving early from the G7 Leaders' Summit on June 16, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta. Trump said he was leaving the summit a day early to return to Washington to try to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One after leaving early from the G7 Leaders' Summit on June 16, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

VP Vance said, per USA Today, "We don't want a regime change. We want to end the nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here."

Moreover, Secretary of State Marc Rubio said on CBS’ 'Face the Nation', "There are a lot of regimes around the world that we don’t like, okay? But in this particular case, what we are focused on is not the changing of the regime."

Even Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth clarified that the US strike on Iran “was not and has not been about regime change.” “The president authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program,” he added.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said public frustration over prices and presidential scrutiny exposed flaws in Biden's messaging strategy
51 minutes ago
The spending is being led by Texas PAC, a group affiliated with the Senate Leadership Fund, the principal GOP super PAC involved in Senate elections
1 hour ago
President Donald Trump reportedly questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a report detailed heavy US munitions use during the conflict
2 hours ago
The report alleged that Jared Kushner's private equity firm, Affinity Partners, had ties to a company heavily involved in Israel’s military
2 hours ago
Donald Trump raised concerns over Tehran’s role as investigators examined the motives behind the cockpit attack on an Israel-bound passenger jet
4 hours ago
President Trump was weather-delayed after campaigning for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton before his scheduled Durant speech
9 hours ago
The Kennedy Center has become a major political issue as Trump has repeatedly sought to rename the institution after himself as part of his broader effort to leave his mark on the capital before leaving the White House
10 hours ago
President Trump's campaign strategist said his deep-red-state rallies are aimed at boosting GOP turnout in competitive districts
10 hours ago
In a September 19 announcement, Trump promised an “AI force” and an “AI czar” while dismissing warnings about AI threats as another alleged “hoax”
12 hours ago
The 2026 midterms will test whether Trump's party can break a pattern: the president's party has lost House ground in 20 of 22 midterms since 1938
12 hours ago