US, Israel Strike Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site; Satellite Images Reveal Damage

The United States launched its first publicly acknowledged strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme in the early hours of 22 June, hitting the underground Fordow enrichment plant as well as facilities at Natanz and Isfahan. Iranian provincial spokesman Morteza Heydari confirmed that “enemy airstrikes” damaged part of Fordow after local air defences were activated. Subsequent satellite photographs analysed by the Associated Press and Maxar Technologies showed at least six craters and collapsed tunnel entrances on the mountain above the site.

The U.S. action followed a warning from Israeli officials, relayed in a tense phone call reported by Reuters on 21 June, that they might not wait for President Donald Trump’s two-week deadline for Tehran to accept nuclear curbs and could strike Fordow independently. Israel had already attacked Iran’s Isfahan complex on 13 June and released footage of the damage on 21 June. Two days later, the Israel Defense Forces said they conducted a separate mission to obstruct access roads to Fordow, a strike that Iranian authorities also acknowledged.

Imagery reviewed by Bloomberg and other outlets indicates the U.S. raid destroyed surrounding infrastructure but deliberately avoided research reactors at the Isfahan site. Washington and Jerusalem say the combined operations aim to impede Iran’s ability to produce weapons-grade material; Tehran insists its programme remains peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency is evaluating the extent of underground damage as fresh satellite passes show Iranian crews starting to clear debris around Fordow’s ventilation shafts.