Did US strikes destroy Iran's nuclear sites? Can it still build a nuclear bomb?

After Operation Midnight Hammer, Donald Trump claims that the three nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in Iran were 'totally obliterated'. But what do satellite imagery and experts say about the damage caused by American airstrikes? read more
'Totally obliterated.'
'Monumental Damage.'
'Hits were hard and accurate.'
These are just some of the ways US President Donald Trump has described the American strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and the outcome of the American military action. On Sunday (June 22), the US president waded into Israel's war against Iran and triggered a more dangerous phase in the conflict when it struck three key nuclear sites in Iran — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
Following America's strikes, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran downplayed the damage to the nuclear sites – just as they did when Israel first struck Iran's facilities on June 13. Independent experts are still analysing commercial satellite imagery to ascertain the true impact of the US strikes, but some note that while the sites may have suffered extensive damage, Iran's nuclear programme is far from dead and buried.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Here's what we have learnt so far.
US takes aim at Iran's nuclear sites
In the wee hours of Sunday, Trump told the world from the White House that it had hit Fordow , Iran's most important nuclear enrichment facility, buried deep inside a mountain to guard it from attacks, Natanz, which is Iran's largest nuclear enrichment centre, and Isfahan, home to the country's largest nuclear research complex.
To carry out these strikes, America used the dangerous bunker-buster bombs as well as Tomahawk missiles.
People watch US President Donald Trump address the nation from the White House in Washington, DC following the announcement that the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran. AFP
Trump later said, 'Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.'
This claim was later reasserted by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in a Pentagon press briefing. 'It was an incredible and overwhelming success. The order we received from our commander in chief was focused,' said Hegseth.
He further added, 'Thanks to President Trump's bold and visionary leadership and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated. The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant.'
Assessing the extent of the damage
While Trump and Hegseth have claimed that Iran's nuclear sites have been 'totally obliterated', General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was more measured in his response, telling the media that the true extent of the damage caused to Iran's nuclear sites would only be known in a few weeks' time. However, he did mention that 'initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction'.
And satellite imagery and independent analysts agree with this sentiment.
A combination picture shows satellite images over Fordow underground complex, before and after the US struck the underground nuclear facility, near Qom, Iran. Maxar Technologies/Reuters
Visuals of the Fordow site after the US' bombing shows some holes in the mountain above it, which may be consistent with damage. A senior US official told the New York Times that the American strike on the Fordow site did not destroy the heavily fortified facility but said the strike had severely damaged it, taking it 'off the table.'
In fact, an Iranian official was also quoted as saying that the site had been evacuated 'a long time ago' in anticipation of attacks.
Michael Horowitz, a Middle East-based geopolitical analyst, trying to ascertain the damage told Wall Street Journal, 'It is very hard to tell whether the strike was successful or not. What I can say is that the US appears to have specifically targeted weak spots within Fordow, namely ventilation shafts that were covered with rocks to protect them. I would expect that this was done in an effort to maximise the chance of success.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
A crater over the underground facility of Natanz Enrichment Facility, after it was hit by US airstrikes, near Natanz, Iran. Maxar Technologies/Reuter
The Americans also struck Natanz with a US official saying a B-2 bomber had dropped two bunker-busting bombs on the site. Satellite imagery shows two new craters at the site, likely caused by the bunker-busting bombs. The craters — one with a diameter of around 5.5 metres, the other around 3.2 metres, according to the Maxar images — sit directly above parts of the complex located underground. However, the extent of damage underground is still to be determined.
At Isfahan, the US used Tomahawk missiles. Satellite photos show at least 18 partially destroyed structures at the site. Moreover, images reveal visible black spots at the site.
The Institute for Science and International Security said that the Isfahan facility had been 'heavily damaged', adding that the complex's main uranium conversion facility, which converts natural uranium into the form of uranium entered into gas centrifuges, was 'severely damaged.'
A close view of the Isfahan nuclear technology in Iran after US strikes on Sunday. Maxar Technologies/AP
But despite the damage at the nuclear sites, there hasn't been any reports of a radiation leak . Reza Kardan, the deputy director of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and the head of the National Nuclear Safety System Center in the country was quoted as saying that 'no radiation contamination or nuclear radiation has been observed outside' the sites.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'Preliminary plans had been made and measures had been taken to protect the safety and health of the dear people of the country, and despite the criminal actions this morning in attacking nuclear facilities, due to the previously planned measures and the measures taken, no radiation contamination or nuclear radiation has been observed outside these sites and facilities,' Kardan said.
Even the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the radiation levels near targeted sites had not increased. 'Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran – including Fordow – the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,' the agency said in a social media post on Sunday.
Future of Iran's nuclear programme
But what does all this mean for Iran's nuclear ambitions? Has the US effectively made it impossible for Tehran to build a nuclear weapon?
Experts note that only a complete picture of the overall damage would determine if Tehran's nuclear ambitions have been nullified. Clionadh Raleigh, head of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a conflict-monitoring group, told The Telegraph that although the strikes might alter the timeline of Iran's nuclear programme, they would do little to alter its ultimate trajectory.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Shiite Muslims hold portraits of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to condemn US and Israel's attacks on Iran, during a protest in Karachi. The United States struck three nuclear sites in Iran on June 22, joining Israel's bombing campaign. AFP
'The regime's broader power and intentions are likely to remain intact,' said Raleigh. 'Iran's military and intelligence systems are designed and built to survive. The structure is deeply layered and resistant to collapse. Even if key infrastructure is destroyed, the system adapts – and in some cases, becomes more dangerous in the process.
'There's no evidence that the strikes will permanently end Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities. What they may do is shift the timeline.'
Darya Dolzikova, Senior Research Fellow, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, also agreed with this assessment. She noted, 'The fundamental reality remains that military action alone can only roll back the programme by degrees, not eliminate it fully.
'Iran retains extensive expertise that will allow it to eventually reconstitute what aspects of the programme have been damaged or destroyed. The Iranian nuclear programme is decades old and draws on extensive Iranian indigenous expertise. The physical elimination of the programme's infrastructure - and even the assassination of Iranian scientists - will not be sufficient to destroy the latent knowledge that exists in the country.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Other experts also speculated that Iran had moved its enriched uranium out of these sites, which means that their nuclear ambitions remain alive. David Albright, the president of the Institute for Science and International Security, was quoted as saying, 'There were trucks seen in imagery apparently hauling stuff away. One would assume that any enriched uranium stocks were hauled away.'
Ian Stewart, a former UK Ministry of Defence specialist and now director of the James Martin Centre for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute in the United States, also stated that the key to Iran's nuclear plans is the enriched uranium. In a Times report, he said that the enriched uranium is the 'most valuable asset in Iran right now'.
With inputs from agencies

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Indian Express

16 minutes ago

• Indian Express

‘This is an outright war crime': Protests erupt in US and other countries after Trump's strikes on Iran

Anti-war protests broke out in multiple US cities, including San Francisco, New York, and Washington, DC, over the weekend following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Demonstrators criticised what they called an 'unconstitutional' escalation and warned of a wider Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and administration officials defended the attacks and warned of further action if Iran retaliates. Hundreds of demonstrators marched through San Francisco's Market Street, demanding an end to US military intervention in Iran. 'Trump has bombed Iran three times. This is an outright war crime,' said one protest speaker, according to ABC News. Similar protests unfolded in Washington, DC, New York, and Boston, with demonstrators holding placards and chanting slogans. Many rallies were organised by the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. It also posted on X: 'The people of the United States don't want another forever war. The people of the United States want money for people's needs!' 'We need to show face and come out in mass and show our administration we're not going to be fooled,' said Ramsey Robinson of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in San Francisco. 'We are anti-war. We support the Iranian people. We want to prevent more death, more destruction.' Activist Deliliah Shenk from Colma said she joined the protest after learning that the US used 'bunker buster' bombs in the attack. 'This is absolutely insane. It's totally unconstitutional. This guy needs to be given the boot. In a big way,' she told ABC News. Some groups also used the protests to voice support for regime change in Iran, holding separate demonstrations on the issue. The ANSWER Coalition has planned a national 'Stop the War on Iran' march for June 28 in Washington, DC, with more local demonstrations scheduled throughout the week. Protests also occurred globally, including in Japan and Iran. Trump defended the decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear facilities and warned of further action. 'If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill,' he said during a White House address. Vice President JD Vance also reinforced the administration's stance in an interview with ABC News, stating, 'If they decide they're going to attack our troops or build a nuclear weapon, we're going to respond to that with overwhelming force.' The strike drew mixed reactions from US Congress. While some Republican lawmakers praised the move, Democrats were sharp in their criticism. According to the World Socialist Web Site, a broader wave of anti-war protests has also erupted in elsewhere across the globe, including Europe and Asia. In Europe, tens of thousands have taken to the streets in cities like The Hague, London, and Brussels, condemning violence in Gaza and opposing their governments' support for US-Israeli policies. Large protests have also been reported in Morocco, South Africa, Somalia, and Portugal. Many of these demonstrations include calls for a ceasefire and critiques of imperialism and foreign intervention. Protests have also spread across Asia, including Japan and Iran, where citizens voiced opposition to war and regional escalation. Pakistan also witnessed demonstrations. In Karachi, thousands of people protested against the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, reported Reuters. Demonstrators symbolically walked over a large American flag with Trump's image, expressing strong opposition to the bombings authorised by Trump against Iranian nuclear sites. (With inputs from USA Today, ABC News, World Socialist Web Site, Reuters)

Time of India

21 minutes ago

• Time of India

Blood, bombs and a Nobel? Pakistan chokes on Trump nomination after US bombs Iran

What began as a bold diplomatic gesture, Pakistan recommending former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, has quickly turned into a political embarrassment. The move, announced Friday and formalised through a letter signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cited Trump's self-proclaimed efforts in preventing escalation during the recent India-Pakistan standoff. But within hours, the US bombed three of Iran's key nuclear facilities- Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz- in a joint operation with Israel. That single event has flipped the narrative and ignited widespread condemnation inside Pakistan. 'Afghan blood is on his hands' Critics point not just to Trump's recent actions but to his broader legacy of war and destabilization. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo 'How can a man with the blood of Afghans and Palestinians on his hands claim to be a peacemaker?' asked Maulana Fazlur Rehman , leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), at a party event in Murree. He demanded the government withdraw Trump's nomination immediately. Fazl slammed Trump's history of supporting Israeli military operations across Palestine, Syria, Lebanon—and now Iran. 'Trump's claim of peace has proven to be false,' he said, adding that the nomination appeared to be driven by Pakistani leaders' enthusiasm over Trump's lunch meeting with Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Live Events Political outrage mounts Voices from across Pakistan's political spectrum have joined the backlash. Former senator Mushahid Hussain said on X: 'Since Trump is no longer a potential peacemaker, but a leader who has willfully unleashed an illegal war, Pakistan government must now review, rescind and revoke his Nobel nomination!' He further accused Trump of being manipulated by 'Netanyahu and the Israeli war lobby,' and warned that the former US president had committed the 'biggest blunder of his presidency.' 'National embarrassment' Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was among the first to formally condemn the US strikes, labeling them 'unprovoked' and expressing 'total support' for Iran's sovereignty. Raoof Hasan, head of PTI's political think-tank, called the Trump nomination a 'cause of unmitigated shame and embarrassment' and blasted the government for what he described as a misstep that undermines national legitimacy. Diplomats and Activists Speak Out The backlash extended beyond politicians. Former ambassador Maleeha Lodhi termed the decision 'unfortunate,' saying it failed to reflect public sentiment. Veteran politician Afrasiab Khattak described it as 'sycophancy,' unfit for responsible diplomacy. Jamaat-i-Islami chief Naeemur Rehman said the move 'undermines our national dignity,' while author Fatima Bhutto posed a pointed question on X: 'Will Pakistan withdraw its nomination for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?' A diplomatic blunder? The backlash highlights a deeper discomfort with aligning Pakistan's foreign policy narrative with a figure whose record includes drone strikes, Middle East escalation, and backing regimes accused of war crimes. As journalist Mariana Baabar noted, 'Today Pakistan does not look too good either,' sharing the official post announcing the nomination.

Time of India

21 minutes ago

• Time of India

Tulsi Gabbard snubbed by Trump after US spy chief defied her Iran advice? Pics from Situation room sparks buzz

Pictures showing President Donald Trump with his top national security officials in the Situation Room as US forces carried out precision strikes against the Iranian nuclear facilities have emerged. But one key is missing. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard — who the president had publicly split with this week over assessments on Iran's nuclear program, was not seen in dramatic pictures. Amid the growing speculation that US spy chief was snubbed by the President over her 'anti-war'comments, the White House has set the straight on her presence in the Situation Room as President Trump ordered strikes on Iran. ALSO READ: Trump rebukes Tulsi Gabbard again as he makes bold claim on Iran's nuclear ambitions Was Tulsi Gabbard present in Situation Room? The White House's Response Team on Sunday released new pictures from the high-profile meeting that showed Tulsi Gabbard sitting in the Situation Room as the U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night. 'President Trump's intelligence team in the White House Situation Room (June 21, 2025),' the White House captioned the photo, tagging Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was seated next to her. — RapidResponse47 (@RapidResponse47) The photo was released following a night of rampant speculation over Gabbard's involvement in the unprecedented attack. Earlier, reports claimed that Gabbard was noticeably absent from a series of photos from the Situation Room released by the White House shortly after the strike. White House sources confirmed to CBS and Fox News that Gabbard was present at the meeting with multiple top-level officers who were not in the photos, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Live Events A White House official confirmed Gabbard was in the room Saturday and that she is a "key player" on President Donald Trump's national security team, reported Fox News. The photos showed Trump donning a MAGA hat as he was surrounded by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, State Secretary Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine. ALSO READ: 6 times in one post: Trump brings up Nobel Peace Prize again and again Trump vs Gabbard clash In March, Tulsi Gabbard had claimed to lawmakers that "Iran is not building a nuclear weapon". This was, however, contradicted by Trump recently, who said he didn't "care what she said". "You've always said that you don't believe Iran should be able to have a nuclear weapon," a reporter asked Trump while aboard Air Force One on June 16. "But how close do you personally think that they were to getting one?" "Very close," Trump responded. Then again Friday, Trump said Gabbard was "wrong" after she reported that Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon. "My intelligence community is wrong," Trump said when asked about the intelligence community previously reporting that Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon. ALSO READ: Amazon's one-month deadline to US employees amid mass layoff fear: Resign in 60 days or... As critics picked apart Gabbard's past comments, the White House stressed to Fox Digital that Gabbard and Trump were closely aligned on Iran. A White House official told Fox News Digital on Tuesday afternoon that Trump and Gabbard are closely aligned and that the distinction being raised between Gabbard's March testimony and Trump's remarks that Iran is "very close" to getting a nuclear weapon is one without a difference. Gabbard took to social media and blasted the media for "intentionally" taking her March testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee "out of context." "The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division," Gabbard said in a Friday post on X, accompanied by a video clip of her March testimony to Congress. ALSO READ: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Intel and more: List of top US tech giants that have announced mass layoffs in 2025 "America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly," she wrote. "President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree." Meanwhile, Iran's underground enrichment site at Fordo was hit again Monday while Iran fired a salvo of missiles and drones at Israel and warned the United States that its military now has a 'free hand' to attack American targets in the wake of the Trump administration's massive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The Fordo facility was one of those hit in Sunday's attack, and it was struck again on Monday, Iranian state television reported. There was no immediate word on damage nor who launched the attack, though Israel said earlier it was conducting airstrikes on Iran.