Fact check: Who ordered the air strikes on Iran tonight

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, President Donald Trump ordered the air strikes on Iran that occurred on June 21, 2025. Multiple sources confirm that Trump announced the U.S. military conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

Trump described these operations as a "spectacular military success" and stated that the targeted sites were "completely and totally obliterated" during a White House address on Saturday evening ^[2]. The strikes were conducted in coordination with Israel's ongoing campaign against Iranian nuclear facilities, with both countries' leaders citing the Iranian nuclear program as a pressing threat ^{[1] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several critical pieces of context that emerge from the analyses:

• Coordinated campaign: The U.S. strikes were part of a broader Israeli-led effort to target Iran's nuclear program, not an isolated American action ^{[1] [3]}
• Timing and escalation: These strikes occurred during the second week of an ongoing conflict, suggesting this was an escalation rather than an initial action ^[2]
• Broader targeting strategy: While the U.S. focused on nuclear facilities, Israeli officials have been conducting separate strikes targeting Iranian internal security and social control institutions ^[5]
• Regional implications: The strikes represent a "risky gambit" that could spark wider regional conflict, as Tehran has threatened reprisals ^[3]
• Legal authority questions: The strikes raise questions about presidential authority to order such military actions ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it simply asks for factual information about who ordered the strikes. However, the analyses reveal concerning patterns in information warfare surrounding this conflict:

• Social media manipulation: There has been widespread circulation of fake and misleading visuals related to the Iran-Israel conflict on platforms like X ^[6]
• Out-of-context content: Videos and statements have been deliberately taken out of context to spread misinformation about the conflict ^[7]
• Information timing: The question asks about strikes "tonight," but the analyses show the strikes occurred on June 21, with announcements made Saturday evening, suggesting potential confusion about timing in real-time reporting

The straightforward nature of the question contrasts with the complex geopolitical implications and the documented presence of misinformation campaigns surrounding this conflict.