President Trump, in a Sunday night social media post, celebrated U.S. airstrikes that took out Iran's key enrichment facilities, describing the operation as a success for having obliterated the rogue nation's nuclear ambitions.
Trump's post on Truth Social appears to push back on a New York Times report citing officials who believed one of the targets in the American operation, the Fordow nuclear site, was only "severely damaged, not destroyed."
"Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" the President declared.
Trump went on to note that damage levels aren't fully appreciated solely using satellite imagery.
"The white structure shown is deeply (embedded) into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame," he explained. "The biggest damage took place far below ground level."
"Bullseye!!!"
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.22.25 09:55 PM EST pic.twitter.com/S3sapnMm0F
— MAGA Resource (@MAGAResource) June 23, 2025
READ MORE: Time for a Change? Trump Appears to Call for New Regime in Iran
The President's comments follow a Times report in which initial military assessments of the buried Fordow nuclear site "contrast with the statement on the strike" put out by the White House and top Pentagon officials.
The Israeli military, in an initial analysis, believes the heavily fortified nuclear site at Fordo has sustained serious damage from the American strike on Sunday, but has not been completely destroyed, according to two Israeli officials with knowledge of the matter. The officials also said it appeared Iran had moved equipment, including uranium, from the site.
But the outlet also notes that damage assessments are ongoing and officials "have not made any final conclusions."
Before and after satellite images of Fordow that show massive amounts of dust as a result of the attack.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 22, 2025
It’s reportedly from the concrete and other materials from the Iranian nuclear facility that got obliterated. pic.twitter.com/XSqltbKlOT
Trump on Sunday had announced that the incredible mission took "the bomb right out of their (Iran's) hands" and praised the strikes as a "spectacular military success."
He then raised eyebrows with comments openly suggesting a regime change in Iran and, in the process, coined a new term.
"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?" he asked. "MIGA!!!"
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.22.25 04:55 PM EST pic.twitter.com/uSaI0FY08m
— MAGA Resource (@MAGAResource) June 23, 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sunday claimed the mission was not about "regime change" and that the administration continues to pursue a path toward peace with a reluctant Iran.
“This mission was not, has not been about regime change,” Hegseth said. “The President authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self-defense of our troops and our ally Israel.”
🚨 SEC. HEGSETH: "This mission was not and has not been about regime change."
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 22, 2025
Let's KEEP it that way. No regime change war. pic.twitter.com/MmHctEH5Pm
Trump, though, is accurately pointing out what could be a consequence of the airstrike and the pressure campaign being put on Iran by both the United States and Israel.
The next moves by Iran will be crucial. Will they pursue a path to peace? It seems unlikely that even an operation that 'obliterates' their nuclear sites will prompt leadership to see reason.
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