Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility appeared to sustain severe damage in a U.S. strike that used B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs, as part of a large-scale military operation known as Operation Midnight Hammer. The attack, which targeted three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, has raised significant concerns regarding regional stability and international relations. According to a recent statement, the U.S. military employed advanced deception tactics and a vast array of aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers, to execute the mission successfully.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine provided details of the operation during a Pentagon briefing, noting that it marked the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history. The mission utilized over 125 aircraft, including multiple fourth and fifth generation fighters, dozens of air refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and a comprehensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance array. Caine reported that approximately 75 precision-guided munitions were launched, with 14 of them being 30,000-pound GBU 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, representing the first operational use of this weapon.
Following the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported, despite the extensive damage to the nuclear sites. The IAEA’s statement emphasized the importance of ensuring that the attacks did not lead to any hazardous radiation spread, which is critical for both regional and global safety. However, the IAEA also announced that Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will convene an emergency meeting on Monday to review the situation and assess the implications of the strikes.
Experts have expressed confidence that the U.S. strike has significantly disrupted Iran’s nuclear program, possibly rendering it inoperable. The destruction of Fordow, which is an underground nuclear enrichment site located near Qom, has the potential to deal a major blow to Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Satellite imagery released since the attack has shown substantial destruction at the site, with some structures reportedly obliterated. Analysts suggest that the attack may have targeted the facility to prevent Iran from enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, which could have far-reaching consequences for the region’s security.
The operation has drawn attention and mixed reactions from the international community. While some nations have praised the U.S. for taking decisive action against potential nuclear threats, others have raised concerns about the escalation of tensions and the risks associated with military confrontations. The U.S. government’s justification for the strike has been based on the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, but the long-term effects of such actions remain a subject of debate. With the IAEA poised to evaluate the situation, the international community awaits further developments as the implications of this military operation continue to unfold.