Satellite images show impact site of US bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities

Home> News> World News

Satellite images show impact site of US bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities

New satellite snaps have revealed the extent of damage done by the US on Iran's military base

New satellite images were released follow the US' bombing of Iran, showing the extent of damage done on Saturday (21 June) night.

President Donald Trump decided in the space of 48 hours to attack the Middle Eastern nation, following weeks of heightened tensions with Israel.

The period saw Iran and Israel exchange missiles, with the former claiming that its adversary's actions were a 'declaration of war.'

Trump instructed the US Armed Forces to carry out 'Operation Midnight Hammer', a 20-hour mission that saw six B-2 stealth bombers make their way to Iran and back, carrying two 'bunker blaster' bombs each.

They dropped the warheads on Iran's primary nuclear base in Fordo, the site of a uranium enrichment plant.

America also deployed submarines to launch a total of 30 Tomahawk missiles at military bases in Natanz and Isfahan.

Donald Trump addressed the nation after landing a number of strikes on Iran (Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images)
Donald Trump addressed the nation after landing a number of strikes on Iran (Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images)

Following the successful attacks, the US President was quick to share the news on social media, before addressing the nation.

Describing it as a 'spectular military success', as over 40 warheads headed to Iran overnight, the decision was made after Iran was accused of developing its own nuclear weapons.

Trump has since threatened Iran, claiming that the 'might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before' if they were to retaliate.

Fordo before the US' attack (Maxar Technologies)
Fordo before the US' attack (Maxar Technologies)

For the first time since the attacks, satellite photos of the attack sites were revealed, as Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan were hit, with visible craters left at the sites.

The world was left shocked by the US' decision despite the growing tension, as it was later revealed by Israeli officials that they were in 'full coordination' with the US in planning the attacks.

Significant damage was done to Fordo in the attack (Maxar Technologies)
Significant damage was done to Fordo in the attack (Maxar Technologies)

The high-resolution snaps were taken by Maxar Technologies earlier today (22 June), revealing six fresh craters, which are likely to be the entry points for the American warheads.

Debris and grey dust can also be seen scattered down the mountainside, as the Fordo base was hidden at its side.

Another angle of Fordo prior to the missiles being fired (Maxar Technologies)
Another angle of Fordo prior to the missiles being fired (Maxar Technologies)

The photo shows the remnants of the area surrounding underground nuclear enrichment facility, with the damage caused by the 'bunker buster' missiles, known also as the GBU-57.

Stu Ray, a senior imagery analyst at McKenzie Intelligence Services, told the BBC that while you won't see a 'huge blast' at the entry point, it is because the warhead is made to detonate not just on impact, but when it has reached 'deeper down into the facility.'

A number of craters could be seen in the snap taken afterwards (Maxar Technologies)
A number of craters could be seen in the snap taken afterwards (Maxar Technologies)

The expert added that it looked like three separate missiles were dropped on two impact points, while the grey dust may suggest that concrete debris was blown out.

Ray noted that the tunnel entrances to Fordo looked blocked off, in what may have been an attempt by Iranians to point the US towards the entrances instead of the base itself.

The Natanz base before the attack (Maxar Technologies)
The Natanz base before the attack (Maxar Technologies)

More snaps of the Natanz and Isfahan bases have since been released by Maxar Technologies, with photos from the days before the attack being compared to snaps taken on Saturday 22 June.

The aftermath of the attacks can be seen in the images.

The Natanz base was one of three targets for the US (Maxar Technologies)
The Natanz base was one of three targets for the US (Maxar Technologies)

While some struggled to see major damage done to Natanz from above, snaps of Isfahan are very telling when it comes to highlighting the effects of the bombs.

The Isfahan base in the days leading up to the attack (Maxar Technologies)
The Isfahan base in the days leading up to the attack (Maxar Technologies)

Several areas of the base look completely destroyed in the 'after' photos of the base.

Isfahan looks completely destroyed following Trump's orders (Maxar Technologies)
Isfahan looks completely destroyed following Trump's orders (Maxar Technologies)

The West has long suspected that Iran intended to build weapons of mass destruction, as Sir Keir Starmer called the nation's programme a 'grave threat to international security.'

Trump has also sent a message to the Iranian regime, simply telling them to come to the negotiating table when it comes to the use of nuclear weapons.

He added: "If they do not, future attacks will be far greater, and a lot easier."

"There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," the President chillingly stated.

Featured Image Credit: Maxar Technologies

Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News, Iran