U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites raise questions about mission’s success
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 23, 2025, 22:52 IST
( Image credit : IANS, TOIGLOBAL )
U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, but a "complete victory" claim is disputed by satellite imagery and experts. While damage occurred at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, the extent of the impact on Iran's nuclear program remains unclear. Concerns rise as Iran reportedly relocated nuclear material before the strikes, fueling speculation about the mission's true success and potential for escalation.
Former President Donald Trump declared a “complete victory” after U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran’s key nuclear facilities over the weekend, but emerging satellite images and expert assessments suggest the operation may have fallen short of its intended goal. While the strikes reportedly damaged parts of Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities, analysts say there is little evidence that Tehran’s nuclear program was decisively crippled.
The strikes began late Saturday night as seven U.S. B-2 stealth bombers launched from the United States and dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-busting bombs on suspected uranium enrichment sites. The operation, supported by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a submarine, was intended to dismantle Iran’s capacity to produce weapons-grade uranium.
Initial reports claimed substantial damage, particularly at Fordow, which houses centrifuges for enriching uranium. However, satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies showed activity largely above ground, with no confirmation that deeply buried infrastructure was destroyed. Analysts warned that much of the Fordow facility is protected by layers of rock and concrete, making it difficult to assess damage from space.
Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said the imagery does not confirm whether the underground centrifuge halls were hit. Decker Eveleth, a satellite analyst with the CNA Corporation, noted that the enrichment halls were buried too deep for conclusive analysis. David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, said that while MOPs likely hit their targets, there is no clear evidence yet of destruction below the surface.
Further complicating the picture are reports that Iran had anticipated the strikes and relocated much of its nuclear material in advance. According to Iranian officials and confirmed by satellite images reviewed by Reuters and The Telegraph, convoys of trucks were seen leaving the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites days before the attacks. Intelligence sources estimate that up to 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent—close to weapons-grade—were moved to undisclosed locations. Maxar images from June 19 showed a line of vehicles, including what appeared to be security convoys and cargo trucks, departing the Fordow site.
Polish defense contractor TS2 Space reported increased activity at the site, including bulldozers and equipment being used to potentially relocate shielding materials or centrifuges. The Isfahan facility, believed to hold the majority of Iran’s enriched uranium, was struck by cruise missiles rather than bunker-busters, raising additional questions about the depth and effectiveness of the attack.
Iran has not confirmed the locations where its uranium stockpiles were moved, and Western intelligence agencies are concerned that Tehran may be hiding materials in undisclosed facilities beyond the reach of United Nations inspectors.
According to Israeli defense analyst Ronen Solomon, even if Iran retained the uranium, its ability to advance toward weaponization would depend on its capacity to rebuild enrichment infrastructure. He noted that without centrifuges and processing equipment, enriched uranium alone does not pose an immediate nuclear threat, though the risk remains if those capabilities are restored in secret.
The Pentagon has not yet released a full damage assessment. A senior U.S. official acknowledged that the strikes may have “set back” Iran’s nuclear program but stopped short of confirming a complete operational success. The lack of transparency has fueled speculation about the true impact of the mission and whether Tehran may have used the attack as cover to deepen its secrecy.
Iran has vowed to respond, and regional tensions remain high. Military bases in Bahrain and other U.S. installations in the Middle East are reportedly on heightened alert. While Washington has not indicated plans for further strikes, analysts warn that the situation remains volatile and unpredictable.
The strikes began late Saturday night as seven U.S. B-2 stealth bombers launched from the United States and dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-busting bombs on suspected uranium enrichment sites. The operation, supported by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a submarine, was intended to dismantle Iran’s capacity to produce weapons-grade uranium.
Initial reports claimed substantial damage, particularly at Fordow, which houses centrifuges for enriching uranium. However, satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies showed activity largely above ground, with no confirmation that deeply buried infrastructure was destroyed. Analysts warned that much of the Fordow facility is protected by layers of rock and concrete, making it difficult to assess damage from space.
Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said the imagery does not confirm whether the underground centrifuge halls were hit. Decker Eveleth, a satellite analyst with the CNA Corporation, noted that the enrichment halls were buried too deep for conclusive analysis. David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, said that while MOPs likely hit their targets, there is no clear evidence yet of destruction below the surface.
Further complicating the picture are reports that Iran had anticipated the strikes and relocated much of its nuclear material in advance. According to Iranian officials and confirmed by satellite images reviewed by Reuters and The Telegraph, convoys of trucks were seen leaving the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites days before the attacks. Intelligence sources estimate that up to 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent—close to weapons-grade—were moved to undisclosed locations. Maxar images from June 19 showed a line of vehicles, including what appeared to be security convoys and cargo trucks, departing the Fordow site.
Polish defense contractor TS2 Space reported increased activity at the site, including bulldozers and equipment being used to potentially relocate shielding materials or centrifuges. The Isfahan facility, believed to hold the majority of Iran’s enriched uranium, was struck by cruise missiles rather than bunker-busters, raising additional questions about the depth and effectiveness of the attack.
Iran has not confirmed the locations where its uranium stockpiles were moved, and Western intelligence agencies are concerned that Tehran may be hiding materials in undisclosed facilities beyond the reach of United Nations inspectors.
According to Israeli defense analyst Ronen Solomon, even if Iran retained the uranium, its ability to advance toward weaponization would depend on its capacity to rebuild enrichment infrastructure. He noted that without centrifuges and processing equipment, enriched uranium alone does not pose an immediate nuclear threat, though the risk remains if those capabilities are restored in secret.
The Pentagon has not yet released a full damage assessment. A senior U.S. official acknowledged that the strikes may have “set back” Iran’s nuclear program but stopped short of confirming a complete operational success. The lack of transparency has fueled speculation about the true impact of the mission and whether Tehran may have used the attack as cover to deepen its secrecy.
Iran has vowed to respond, and regional tensions remain high. Military bases in Bahrain and other U.S. installations in the Middle East are reportedly on heightened alert. While Washington has not indicated plans for further strikes, analysts warn that the situation remains volatile and unpredictable.