After coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, officials and international observers have confirmed extensive disruption at key enrichment sites. While opinions vary on the full extent of the damage, a growing number of intelligence and defense sources agree that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have suffered a major setback.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reported that centrifuges at the Fordow underground facility are “no longer operational.” Grossi described the equipment as highly sensitive to shock and vibration, stating that the attacks inflicted “very, very, very considerable damage.” Though Iran has not allowed ground-level inspections, satellite images reveal visible structural impact.
Fordow was designed to resist air attacks, buried under hundreds of feet of rock. American forces deployed 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs with the intent of disabling the facility’s core functions. According to U.S. military leaders, the attack involved more than 125 aircraft and extensive planning. Centrifuge rotors—critical for uranium enrichment—are thought to have been rendered unusable.
At Natanz, Israel initiated the first wave of strikes, targeting surface infrastructure and damaging underground components. The U.S. followed with precision munitions aimed at the deeper halls housing enrichment equipment. Analysts believe the facility’s underground chambers were hit hard enough to disrupt operations, though some questions remain about the extent of the damage. Adjacent to Natanz, Iran has been constructing a new underground site that appears untouched.
In Isfahan, which plays a central role in uranium conversion and metallurgy, both surface buildings and suspected tunnel entrances were bombed. Independent analysts state that conversion buildings were destroyed, limiting Iran’s ability to prepare uranium for use in weapons development. While the above-ground areas were flattened, tunnels thought to house enriched material may still be structurally sound.
The Arak facility, home to a heavy water reactor that had not yet gone online, was also struck. The reactor’s concrete shell and support facilities were destroyed. Experts now suggest Arak will likely not be used for nuclear material production in the future.
Despite the scale of the strikes, some uncertainty remains. Iran had stockpiled more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium before the attacks. The IAEA has been informed that protective steps were taken, possibly relocating material to undisclosed sites. Analysts caution that such material is small and easily transportable, and its current whereabouts are unknown.
Defense leaders and intelligence officials in the U.S. have said that rebuilding the destroyed facilities would require years. Still, several experts believe Iran may have constructed backup sites that were not targeted.
The lack of physical access for verification continues to limit full understanding of the damage. While American officials describe the mission as successful, some analysts urge caution, emphasizing that lasting stability will require diplomatic solutions and long-term monitoring.
As debates continue, the international community remains focused on determining how much of Iran’s nuclear program can be restarted—and what measures might prevent future escalation.
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