By: Fern Sidman

In the aftermath of the U.S. military’s precision airstrikes on three of Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—fresh revelations are emerging that suggest these bold attacks were not only meticulously coordinated, but years in the making.

According to a report confirmed by ABC News and covered by Israel National News (INN), an Israeli official with direct knowledge of the matter disclosed Saturday night that a major joint military exercise between the United States and Israel conducted approximately one year ago included simulated strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. This marked the first time the two allies rehearsed offensive operations explicitly targeting Iran’s nuclear program—scenarios that have now come to life in real-time conflict.

The drill, initiated under the former Biden administration, involved extensive war-gaming and coordination between American and Israeli defense establishments. “But we did not think a year ago that this would happen now,” the source told ABC, noting how theoretical preparations had transitioned into a historical moment of operational execution. The Israel National News (INN) report emphasized the unprecedented nature of these simulations, calling the exercise “a blueprint that silently paved the way for strategic deterrence and direct action.”

Adding a layer of intrigue to this unfolding military drama, INN reported that senior Israeli defense officials were aware for several days that President Trump was “on board” with the planned strikes. Nevertheless, both Jerusalem and Washington agreed to orchestrate a facade of hesitancy and disunity—deliberately sowing confusion to lull the Iranian regime into a false sense of security.

“The illusion of disagreement served to disorient Tehran,” one Israeli military official was quoted as saying. “The aim was to convince them that any major U.S.-Israeli coordination was off the table.” This form of psychological operations (psyops) is not new in the realm of strategic warfare, but as the INN report noted, its application here was “especially deft and exacting,” contributing significantly to the element of surprise.

Trump’s address to the nation on Saturday night confirmed the magnitude of the operation. “The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” the president declared, flanked by top national security officials. He lauded both American and Israeli forces for their seamless execution and strategic alignment.

In both his televised speech and subsequent Truth Social post, Trump delivered a stern warning to Iran: Retaliate, and face devastation.

“Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight,” Trump posted. Echoing the tone of deterrence, he added during his address: “This cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran—far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left.”

These comments are being interpreted as a calibrated signal—intended both for the Iranian leadership and for U.S. adversaries globally—that Washington is prepared to escalate swiftly and decisively if provoked. As the INN report noted in a Sunday morning editorial, “The message was as clear as the explosions over Fordow: America’s patience has ended. Its capability, long doubted by Tehran, is now undeniable.”

The targets of Saturday’s strikes were not randomly chosen. Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan represent the core of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Fordow, in particular, had long been considered impregnable—buried deep within a mountain and shielded by layers of concrete and rock. Previous Israeli missions had largely focused on less protected targets. Only U.S. military assets—specifically B-2 Spirit stealth bombers armed with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—were capable of breaching Fordow’s defenses.

The report at Israel National News highlighted the symbolic and strategic weight of hitting Fordow: “The fortress Tehran once considered untouchable has been turned into rubble. That sends a message not only to Iran, but to every adversary of the Western alliance.”

Natanz, Iran’s primary centrifuge production hub, and Isfahan, a key site for nuclear fuel production and conversion, were also reportedly devastated. Defense analysts cited by INN suggested the combined effect of the strikes could set back Iran’s nuclear program by at least three to five years—assuming it is able to recover at all.

While Iran reels from the impact, Israeli officials told INN that this is only the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at permanently neutralizing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

“We are in Phase Two now,” one senior Israeli military planner told INN on background. “Phase One was about precision and surprise. Phase Two is about sustained pressure, and yes, preemption if required. We cannot afford for Iran to get back on its feet.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a separate statement late Saturday night, praised Trump’s resolve and reiterated Israel’s commitment to its own national defense. “We will achieve all our goals and hit all of their nuclear facilities. We have the capability to do that,” Netanyahu told Kan News, as cited by INN.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu dismissed skeptics who claimed Israel lacked the means to destroy sites like Fordow without U.S. help. “Whether Trump wants to join or not—that’s entirely his decision,” the Israeli leader said. “He’ll do what’s good for the United States, and I’ll do what’s good for the State of Israel. Every contribution is welcome.”

The shockwaves of the strikes are already being felt worldwide. European leaders held emergency consultations, while oil markets spiked amid fears of regional escalation. Russia and China issued predictable condemnations but stopped short of any meaningful response.

Meanwhile, INN reported that Israel’s Home Front Command remains on high alert, anticipating potential retaliatory strikes from Iran or its proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthi regime in Yemen. Air defenses across the country have been reinforced, and emergency shelters remain open in the north and central regions.

In a sobering editorial, INN concluded: “The long shadow of Iran’s nuclear program has haunted Israeli security planners for decades. That shadow just got a lot shorter. But the mission is not yet over.”

Whether Tehran will now come to the negotiating table, as Trump has demanded, remains to be seen. But as Saturday night’s operation proved, neither Israel nor the United States is prepared to allow Iran to proceed unchecked. The battle for regional stability—and for the soul of nuclear non-proliferation—has entered a new and dangerous phase.