In the early hours of June 22, 2025, the United States conducted a highly coordinated and extensive military operation that targeted three of Iran’s most heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This unprecedented assault marked a significant escalation in the already volatile conflict between Iran and Israel, attracting global attention and igniting concerns about a broader regional war. The operation occurred following a week of escalating hostilities that commenced with Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, which were justified by concerns that Tehran’s nuclear program was on the brink of weaponization. A series of retaliatory attacks that threatened to spiral out of control ensued as Iran responded with a barrage of missiles and drones directed at Israel.
The U.S. intervention was a significant departure from previous policy, as President Donald Trump, who had previously been opposed to significant military involvement in the region, authorized the use of overwhelming force to mitigate what American and Israeli officials perceived as an imminent nuclear threat. The attack was meticulously orchestrated and necessitated the deployment of six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, each of which was equipped with the 30k pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) — the only bombs in the U.S. arsenal that were capable of penetrating the vast depths of Iran’s subterranean facilities. One of the most difficult military objectives in the world is Fordow, which is concealed beneath a mountain and safeguarded by layers of reinforced concrete. At the same time, 30 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles were launched by U.S. Navy submarines at Natanz and Isfahan, and a B-2 bomber delivered additional bunker-busting bombs on Natanz. Both nations presented a united front against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the operation was conducted in full coordination with Israel.
Iranian authorities reported no nuclear contamination in the immediate aftermath, assuring the public that emergency precautions had been implemented and that nearby residents were not at risk. They also confirmed the attacks. Iranian officials claimed that the facilities had been evacuated and sensitive materials had been removed prior to the strikes. If this assertion is accurate, it would have diminished the impact of the U.S. operation. Nevertheless, the Iranian government denounced the strikes as flagrant violations of international law and pledged to retaliate. They suggested that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed, threatening U.S. assets in the region. Although no catastrophic release of nuclear material was reported, the escalating conflict has had a severe impact on the broader population, with over 200 deaths and over 1,200 injuries in Iran alone since hostilities commenced. However, the exact number of casualties that resulted directly from the overnight strikes is still unknown.
Iranian officials are currently denying that the Fordow nuclear site has sustained irreparable harm as a result of the U.S. airstrikes. Iranian authorities maintain that the site is largely intact and operational, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that Fordow and other critical nuclear enrichment facilities have been “completely and utterly obliterated.” The immediate response of Iranian officials to the strikes, which underscored their resilience and the limited impact on their nuclear infrastructure, supports this stance.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear overseer, announced on Sunday that there has been no documented increase in off-site radiation levels at Fordow or the other targeted sites, Natanz and Isfahan, further supporting Iran’s narrative. The IAEA has indicated that it will continue to monitor and provide additional assessments as additional information becomes available. However, its preliminary findings indicate that the strikes did not result in nuclear contamination or catastrophic structural failure at Fordow.
The contrasting narratives from Washington and Tehran clearly illustrate the ongoing information war encircling the strikes. Even though the operation has been characterized by U.S. officials and media as a substantial blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Iranian leaders are expressing confidence in their capacity to withstand such assaults and continue their nuclear program. Iran is currently maintaining that the U.S. assault has not resulted in a fatal or irreversible strike to its underground enrichment facility, although it may require time to independently verify the true extent of the damage to Fordow.
Alarm and uncertainty have prevailed amid the worldwide response. In anticipation of potential Iranian reprisals, Israel elevated its security alert to the highest level and implemented restrictions on public gatherings. Iran’s political and military leaders indicated that they were prepared for a protracted conflict, cautioning that it could potentially escalate to encompass the entire region. The attack has likely impeded any ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program in the near term and has increased the likelihood of a broader conflict involving U.S. forces and their allies from a diplomatic perspective.
This nocturnal attack on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan is a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. The operation has undoubtedly increased the stakes, placing the region on a knife’s edge and leaving the world to grapple with the potential consequences of a rapidly widening conflict, although the full extent of the harm to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains to be seen.