Trump Says Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Sites Is ‘Far Below Ground Level’
In a dramatic statement following the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, former President Donald Trump declared that the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure went “far below ground level.” The comment, which Trump made during a press conference at his Florida estate, has raised new questions about the scale, purpose, and consequences of the operation.
According to Trump, the strikes were meticulously planned to target hardened, deeply buried components of Iran’s nuclear program — facilities believed to be located hundreds of feet underground, protected by layers of concrete and rock. “We hit them harder than anyone thought possible,” Trump said. “We went deep. Very deep. This wasn’t surface-level. This was far below ground level, and they know it.”
Trump did not confirm whether the weapons used were conventional bunker-busting bombs or something more advanced, but defense analysts have speculated that the U.S. military likely used the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bomb specifically designed to destroy fortified underground facilities. These weapons are capable of penetrating deep into the earth before detonating, causing massive shockwaves capable of crippling underground tunnels, labs, and uranium enrichment equipment.
Iran has long claimed that its nuclear program is peaceful and for energy purposes, but U.S. intelligence agencies and international watchdogs have raised alarms about potential weapons development. The latest strike appears to be part of a coordinated effort to slow down Iran’s progress while sending a strong message about the consequences of defying international agreements.
Trump’s remarks have sparked fierce debate. Supporters argue the action was necessary to protect U.S. interests and allies, especially Israel, from a nuclear-armed Iran. Critics, however, warn that the strikes could escalate an already volatile situation, risking all-out war in the Middle East. Some former officials have voiced concern that the targeting of deeply buried infrastructure signals a long-term strategy to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which could provoke retaliation not only from Iran but also from aligned militias and proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
In Tehran, the reaction was swift. Iranian leaders condemned the attack as “a flagrant act of aggression,” vowing a “crushing response” at a time and place of their choosing. Iranian military units have reportedly been placed on high alert, and there are growing fears that the region is on the brink of another prolonged conflict.
Despite the tension, Trump struck a defiant tone. “We took out the heart of the problem,” he said. “And if they rebuild, we’ll do it again.”
As the world watches closely, the full extent of the damage “far below ground level” remains classified — but the political, diplomatic, and military fallout is already reverberating far above it.
