US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites: A Look at the Damage Through Satellite Imagery

Early Sunday, the United States launched strikes against several key Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The attacks involved the use of massive 30,000-pound bombs, dropped by B-2 Spirit bombers, in an operation dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Former President Donald Trump declared the mission a “spectacular military success,” claiming that the strikes had completely destroyed three nuclear enrichment sites. However, satellite images present a more nuanced picture, prompting experts to question the extent of the damage. While some damage is evident, other areas appear untouched, making it difficult to ascertain the overall impact. Experts suggest Iran’s nuclear program may not be as severely impacted as initially claimed. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, built into a mountain, shows craters and collapsed tunnel entrances in satellite images. Some reports indicate that Iran may have moved 400 kilograms of uranium from the facility before the strikes, further complicating the assessment of the strikes’ effectiveness.