Trump says damage to Iran's nuclear sites is 'far below ground level'

Trump said the U.S. attacked three nuclear sites in Iran.

ByDavid Brennan, Meredith Deliso, Leah Sarnoff, Jack Moore, Nadine El-Bawab, Kevin Shalvey, and Jon Haworth
Last Updated: June 23, 2025, 2:06 AM EDT

The United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced.

B-2 bombers dropped a number of Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs -- known as "bunker busters" -- during the U.S. mission over Iran, a U.S. official confirmed.

A number of Tomahawk cruise missiles were also fired at targets inside Iran from a U.S. Navy submarine, the official confirmed.

Following the strikes, Trump addressed the nation, calling it a "spectacular military success."

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 18, 2025, 3:55 PM EDT

Senate Intelligence briefing postponed as tensions rise in the Middle East

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's closed-door Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, which was set for Wednesday afternoon, was rescheduled due to the "ongoing developments in the Middle East," a committee spokesperson confirmed to ABC News.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House, April 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

"The briefing wasn’t canceled, it was rescheduled. Given ongoing developments in the Middle East, we are looking to find a mutually agreeable day in the near future," the spokesperson said.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

Jun 18, 2025, 3:28 PM EDT

Trump says he'll have meeting soon on Israel-Iran, hasn't made a final decision

President Trump, in an Oval Office event on Wednesday, said he'd be having a Situation Room meeting soon on Iran and Israel.

"We're having a meeting downstairs in an hour," Trump said.

President Donald Trump speaks as a flag pole is installed on the South Lawn of the White House, June 18, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP

The president was asked if he's made a decision yet on what to do.

"I have ideas as to what to do but I haven't made a final -- I like to make the final decision one second before it's due, because things change, especially with war," he said.

Jun 18, 2025, 3:09 PM EDT

Israeli military chief says 3rd wave of strikes will focus on western Iran

During a briefing Wednesday evening, Israel Defense Forces Chief Effie Defrin gave an update on the last 24 hours of the ongoing military operation against Iran.

"In the past 24 hours, we have launched three major waves of strikes," Defrin said, noting that most of the aerial attacks have been focused on Iran's capital city, Tehran.

Smoke rises near the Milad Tower following an Israeli airstrike, Tehran, Iran, June 2025.
Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The IDF chief said the third wave, which is ongoing, will be targeted at western Iran.

Defrin said Israel Air Force aircraft are flying over "launch and storage sites for surface-to-surface missiles."

"The jets are targeting operatives attempting to re-access and remove munitions from sites that were previously struck," Defrin said.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Jun 18, 2025, 1:48 PM EDT

Netanyahu thanks Trump for 'support defending the skies of Israel'

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump for U.S. support, calling him "a great friend of the State of Israel," in a televised address in Hebrew Wednesday.

"I thank him for standing by our side, and I thank him for the support that the United States is providing us in defending the skies of Israel. We talk continuously, including last night. We had a very warm conversation. I would like to thank President Trump for his support," Netanyahu said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

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