(News Nation) – A newly released satellite image will damage three nuclear sites in Iran before and after the US airstrike on Saturday night.
US military used specialized bunker bombs to penetrate underground facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, marking President Donald Trump’s decision to take part in Israel’s military campaign against Iran’s nuclear program.
High-resolution images collected by Maxar Technologies showed a large crater on the ridge above the underground complex of Fordow, one of Iran’s heavily strengthened nuclear facilities. Similar images were also captured by Natanz and Isfahan.
We attacked the nuclear ambitions of “erased” Iran: Hegus
Interact with the image below by dragging the slider left and right to see the difference after the US attacks.
Fordow Richment Facility
The strike appears to have blocked several tunnel entrances leading to debris and dirt underground facilities around Maxar.
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Fordow Fuel Concentration Plant before, after, and after the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd (Satellite Image©2025 Maxar Technologies)
Satellite image analysis shows that a layer of grey blue-grey spreads across the wide area surrounding the facility, evidence of a powerful explosion from a bomb that destroys the bunkers used in the attack.
Built deep in the mountains near QOM city, considered a holy site for Sea Icelam, the Fordow facility has become a particular concern for Western intelligence agency due to its enhanced construction designed to withstand military attacks.
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Fordow Fuel Richment Plant before, before, and after the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd. Maxar Technologies)
The image below from Maxar Technologies shows some holes that appear to have been left behind by the bomb.
This image, shared by Maxar Technologies, shows the craters left at the Fordow Fuel Richment Plant before the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd (Satellite Image©2025 Maxar Technologies)
Natantz Concentration Facility
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Natanz Redichment facility before, after, and after the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd (Satellite Image©2025 Maxar Technologies)
At the Natantz Enrichment Facility, satellite images show a 5.5-meter-diameter crater just above a portion of the underground military complex.
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Natanz Redichment facility before, after, and after the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd (Satellite Image©2025 Maxar Technologies)
Natantz has centrifuges that are important for Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
The image above, shared by Maxar Technologies, shows the 2003 Natanz Redichment facility.
The precise placement of the crater for underground centrifuge operation indicates penetration of the facility’s protective earth cover. Images of the historic Maxar from 2003 show the site under construction visible before the centrifugal building was covered by the earth for protection.
Isfahan Technology Center
According to the latest satellite image analysis, the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre has suffered extensive building damage throughout the complex.
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center before, after, and after the attack on Saturday, Sunday, June 22nd (Satellite Image©2025 Maxar Technologies)
The facility will serve as Iran’s main nuclear technology research centre.
Images shared by Maxar Technologies show the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre just days before Saturday’s attack. Before, after the attack, right after the attack, Sunday June 22nd. (Satellite Image © 2025 Maxar Technologies) Images shared by the images show the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center before the attack on Saturday, the attack on June 22nd, and the attack on Saturday. technology)
Hegseth: “Not seeking war” with Iran after the attack
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses said on Sunday that America “doesn’t seek war” with Iran in the aftermath of Saturday’s surprise attack, but Vice President JD Vance said the strike gave Tehran a new opportunity to negotiate with Washington.
The mission, called “Operation Midnight Hammer,” included decoys and a deceit, and there was no resistance from Iran. Heggs and General Dan Kane, chairman of the Air General, said at a Pentagon press conference.
“This mission was not a change of government, and it wasn’t,” added Hegses.
Caine said the surgical goals to destroy nuclear sites for Fordow (sometimes spelled Fordo), Natanz, and Isfahan have been achieved.
“The final combat damage will take some time, but the initial combat damage assessment shows that all three sites maintained very serious damage and destruction,” says Caine.
In a television interview, Vance said he would not discuss “the sensitive intelligence of what we saw on earth,” but “is confident that it has slowed the development of nuclear weapons significantly.”
In further coverage, he told NBC’s Meet the Press, “I think we’ve returned their program for a very long time. I think it’ll be years before Iranians can develop nuclear weapons.”
The vice president said the United States “actively negotiated” with Iran to try to find a peaceful reconciliation, and that Trump made his decision after assessing Iranians as not acting “in good faith.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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