US B-2 bombers involved in Iran strikes, U.S. official says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. B-2 bombers were involved in strikes on Iran's nuclear sites announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Reuters had reported earlier on Saturday the movement of B-2 bombers, which can be equipped to carry massive bombs that experts say would be ideal to strike the sites.

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Newsweek

7 minutes ago

• Newsweek

Before and After Images Show Impact of US Strikes on Iran Nuclear Site

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery shows large craters and ash at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility following U.S. airstrikes that President Donald Trump said had "totally obliterated" Tehran's major nuclear sites. The Context Trump confirmed late on Saturday that the U.S. had carried out "massive precision strikes" to take out Tehran's nuclear enrichment facilities and damage its ability to make a nuclear weapon. Fordow nuclear site in central Iran on Friday, prior to U.S. strikes on the complex on Saturday afternoon U.S. time. Fordow nuclear site in central Iran on Friday, prior to U.S. strikes on the complex on Saturday afternoon U.S. time. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies A view of the exterior of Fordow, a major nuclear site in central Iran on Sunday, after U.S. strikes on the facility on Saturday evening U.S. time. A view of the exterior of Fordow, a major nuclear site in central Iran on Sunday, after U.S. strikes on the facility on Saturday evening U.S. time. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies What To Know The U.S. struck Fordow, roughly 60 miles south of Tehran, as well as the Natanz complex to the southeast and Isfahan, southwest of Natanz, Trump said. The president hailed the attacks as a "spectacular military success," adding: "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." Experts said it was too early to tell exactly how much damage has been done to Iran's network of nuclear sites. General Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, said on Sunday morning that initial assessments of the operation dubbed Midnight Hammer indicated "all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction," but analysis was ongoing. Israel continued attacking Iran into Sunday, and Tehran launched fresh strikes on several Israeli cities. Satellite imagery published by space imagery firm Maxar on Sunday showed a number of large craters or holes at the top of the ridge, under which is the underground complex at Fordow. Ash from airstrikes covers much of the area, and several of the entrances to Fordow's tunnel network appear to be blocked with dirt, Maxar said. Images separately published by Planet Labs on Sunday also showed ash covering the area around Fordow. Fordow is built under a mountain, a facility that was secret until 2009 and Israel has been unable to destroy with its weapons. While Israel has carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear sites—including Natanz and Isfahan—since it started its campaign over a week ago, the U.S. is considered the only country able to reach the deeply buried sites like Fordow using B-2 bombers and "bunker buster" bombs. These huge bombs had never been used before in combat. A view of Fordow prior to U.S. airstrikes on the underground complex, taken on Thursday, June 19, 2025. A view of Fordow prior to U.S. airstrikes on the underground complex, taken on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies Craters are visible and ash can be seen on the ridge at Fordow on Sunday, after U.S. strikes on the underground facility. Craters are visible and ash can be seen on the ridge at Fordow on Sunday, after U.S. strikes on the underground facility. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies Caine told the media on Sunday morning that the U.S. had used a total of 14 30,000-pound GBU-57/B bombs against two nuclear target areas in Iran. Reports had suggested at least one GBU-57/B was fired on Natanz. A U.S. submarine launched more than 2 dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles against the aboveground facilities at Isfahan around 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, just before U.S. aircraft entered Iranian airspace. Washington used deception tactics and a host of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft traveling ahead of B-2 bombers to sweep for Iranian fighter jets and air defenses, Caine said. At 6:40 p.m. ET, the first B-2 dropped two "bunker buster" bombs at Fordow, the chairman said. The rest of the munitions were dropped in the following 25 minutes, and Iran did not fire any shots at U.S. aircraft traveling in or out of Iran, Caine added. Caine said full damage assessments were still pending, but that "all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction." The U.S. "achieved destruction of capabilities" at Fordow, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. What People Are Saying U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside General Dan Caine on Sunday, said, "Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated." What Happens Next Trump has threatened further strikes on Iran if Tehran does not negotiate a deal, while the country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi called the American attacks "outrageous," promising "everlasting consequences."

Newsweek

12 minutes ago

• Newsweek

Anti-Trump 'No More War' Protests Today: What We Know

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 50501 movement, along with other activist groups, are organizing "No More War" protests across the country on Sunday following the United States' strike on Iran last night. Newsweek has reached out to 50501 via email for comment on Sunday. Why It Matters On Saturday evening, President Donald Trump announced military action on Iran and said that the U.S. has attacked sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, marking the first U.S. intervention in the conflict, following dramatic escalations in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Israel initially struck Tehran and several other cities in "Operation Rising Lion," a campaign it said was meant to preempt a planned Iranian attack and disrupt Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran, which has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, has since retaliated, though Israeli defense systems—bolstered by U.S. military technology—have intercepted about 99 percent of incoming missile fire, according to Israeli officials on Saturday morning in an X, formerly Twitter, post. Iran hit a hospital in southern Israel on Thursday, and local reports noted that buildings in Tel Aviv were on fire from Iranian missiles on Friday. The U.S. is Israel's closest ally, providing billions of dollars in military aid annually. What To Know The 50501 movement stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement. According to posts shared on Instagram pages affiliated with the various 50501 factions and other political and activist groups, including a post on Answer coalition's website, there will be "No More War" protests in the following states and cities today. Asheville, North Carolina Baltimore Cincinnati, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Los Angeles Louisville, Kentucky Manchester, New Hampshire Milwaukee New York City Phoenix Providence, Rhode Island Richmond, Virginia San Marco, Texas Seattle Springfield, Missouri Washington, D.C. More protests in other states around the country may be announced later today. Meanwhile, a series of protests against the Israel-Iran conflict took place before the U.S. struck Iran. The 50501 movement has organized a number of protests since Trump's second term. Last week, it targeted a military parade that took place in the nation's capital that coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, and Flag Day. Organizers had called for June 14 to be a "nationwide day of defiance." Following the U.S.'s strike on Iran, Trump gave an address to the nation and said, "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal." A recent YouGov poll found that among all respondents, only 16 percent supported U.S. involvement in the conflict between Iran and Israel, with 60 percent opposed. The survey of 1,512 adults was conducted from June 13 to 16, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. Protesters participate in a rally condemning the U.S. and Israeli missile strikes on Iran and in solidarity for Palestinians on June 22 in Seoul. Protesters participate in a rally condemning the U.S. and Israeli missile strikes on Iran and in solidarity for Palestinians on June 22 in Seoul. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images What People Are Saying President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social: "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!" Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment." @5051_socal wrote on Instagram: "Wow, what a totally new and bold idea—starting another war in the Middle East. If history taught them anything, they must've slept through it. Be there tomorrow. This is important." @50501_cincinatti on Instagram: "Trump's unprovoked bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities is an outright war crime. It violates the UN Charter, international law and the U.S. Constitution. It threatens to set into motion a regional or even global war with massive casualties, nuclear radiation, and catastrophic consequences." What Happens Next? There are further rounds of anti-Trump protests planned for July 17.

Bloomberg

28 minutes ago

• Bloomberg

Bombing Iran's Nuclear Sites Complicates Hunt for What's Left

President Donald Trump's decision to order US forces to attack three key Iranian nuclear installations may have sabotaged the Islamic Republic's known atomic capabilities, but it's also created a monumental new challenge to work out what's left and where. Trump said heavily fortified sites were 'totally obliterated' late Saturday, but independent analysis has yet to verify that claim. Rather and yielding a quick win, the strikes have complicated the task of tracking uranium and ensuring Iran doesn't build a weapon, according to three people who follow the country's nuclear program.