Iran Claims Nuclear Sites Evacuated Before US Strikes

The Iranian nuclear sites that President Donald Trump says were struck by the United States were reportedly evacuated ahead of the strikes, Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.

"IRIB's political deputy says that Iran had evacuated the three nuclear sites some while ago," Mehr reported.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social Saturday that the U.S. had struck Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space," Trump said, adding, "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow."

"All planes are safely on their way home. 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! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump concluded.

The attacks mark the first direct military involvement by the United States amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

Trump said in a later post on Truth Social that he will address the nation at 10 p.m. Saturday night ET.