The United States hit the Iranian deep -fortified nuclear place of Fordow, which meant a dramatic escalation in the efforts to dismantle Tehranian nuclear abilities. The overnight strike of 21 June, part of the Midnight Hammer operation, was carried out using B-2 bombers armed bombs of £ 30,000 Bunker-Bunter-Do it made it the first known attempt to penetrate the underground facility near Qom. This step comes after days of Israeli bombing, which could not significantly damage Fordow, instead of the central for the Iranian program of enrichment of uranium and long considered the reach of conventional weapons.
Here are key facts about the Iranian nuclear device Fordow:
The Iranian Fuel Fuel Fuel is one of the most strongly fortified and controversial places in the country’s nuclear infrastructure. It is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tehran near the Holy town of Qom, Fordow is buried deep on the mountain – up to 300 feet underground – and is designed to be protected from conventional air strikes.
Originally constructed in secret around 2006 and officially unveiled by Iran in 2009, this site is operated by an Iranian atomic energy organization and plays a central role in enrichment of uranium. It is one of the two devices-spols with Natanzem-where uranium was enriched at the level of close to weapons.
Why Fordow matters
Fordow’s meaning lies in its output and protection. The device was used to enrich uranium up to 60% cleanliness – just a short step from 90% of the level of enrichment required to produce nuclear weapons. In 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) detected particles enriched at 83.7% purity on site – the highest level ever recorded in Iran.
This brought increased international control, especially from Israel, which considers any Iranian transfer towards the material class of weapons as an existential threat. Fordow’s fortified placement makes almost invulnerable to Israeli ammunition. Only the United States has 30,000 pounds GBU-57 massive penetrator-“Bunker Buster”, which is able to achieve its underground centrifugal halls.
Strikes on the Fordow
In the early hours of Saturday night (June 21), the United States launched a military operation – Midnight Hammer operation – focused on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. US President Donald Trump allowed the use of B-2 stealth bombers equipped with GBU-57 bombs to strike underground halls Fordow.
“We destroyed the Iranian nuclear program,” said US Defense Minister Pete HegSeth after strikes. “This operation concerned neutralization threats – not regime changes.”
Satellite images reveal surface damage
According to satellite images and initial Pentagon evaluation, attacks caused visible damage around the device, including craters and collapsed tunnel inputs.
However, the IAEA has not reported any increase in radiation level outside the site and is still a complete assessment of damage.
Radiation risk and monitoring challenges
IAEA confirmed that no increased radiation levels were detected after the strike. However, experts point out that it is likely that radiation and chemical contamination inside the site are and monitoring efforts were more difficult.
Due to the destruction of the infrastructure and the scattering of materials, traditional techniques of collection of environmental samples may now be at the site of the detection of illegal nuclear activities.
Strategic consequences
The Fordwow strike was considered a turning point in conflict. Israeli air strikes have failed to damage Fordow significantly due to its depth and air defense. By entering the Bunker Busters, the US has brought what many analysts consider to be a critical wound of Iranian nuclear abilities.
However, experts warn that most of the Iranian enriched uranium supplies could have been moved to undisclosed stiffened places, which complicates efforts to follow and detention of its nuclear ambitions.
(Tagstotranslate) Fordow Palive Enrichment Plant
