WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump stated on Monday, July 21, 2025, that the United States would again target Iranian nuclear facilities if deemed necessary. This assertion follows recent US strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites last month, which Trump claims “obliterated” them.
In a strong message delivered on his Truth Social platform, President Trump reacted to remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who admitted that US missile strikes in June had caused “serious damage” to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and temporarily halted uranium enrichment. Trump interpreted Araghchi’s comments as vindication of his earlier claims regarding the severity of the damage. “Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: ‘Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.’ Of course they are, just like I said — and we will do it again, if necessary!” Trump wrote.
The President also took aim at CNN, demanding that the news channel “immediately fire their phony reporter” and issue an apology to him and the Air Force pilots involved in the strikes. Trump accused CNN of downplaying the effectiveness of the US operation, which he referred to as “OBLITERATED” Iran’s nuclear sites. This comes after CNN, citing an early US intelligence assessment, reported that the strikes might have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by months, rather than completely destroying it.
The US operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – using B-2 stealth bombers equipped with powerful “bunker buster” bombs. While Iranian officials have confirmed significant damage, they maintain that the country will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, viewing it as a matter of national pride and technological achievement. Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The renewed rhetoric comes amidst ongoing regional tensions and a looming new round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and European powers scheduled for Wednesday in Türkiye. The United States will not be participating in these specific talks.
