### Damage Assessment of Iran's Fordo Nuclear Site: Conflicting Reports Emerge Post-U.S. Strikes

Tue Sep 23 2025 23:42:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The aftermath of U.S. military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities reveals a complex picture of damage and capabilities.

Initial evaluations of the Iranian Fordo nuclear site, following airstrikes by U.S. forces, show substantial but incomplete damage, differing from President Trump's assertions of total obliteration. According to two Israeli officials, while significant harm was inflicted on the fortified facility, it remains operational. The assessments are echoed by a senior U.S. source, who maintains that despite the strike’s severity, Fordo’s complete destruction was not achieved.

In the orchestrated strikes, the United States targeted multiple nuclear sites, deploying heavy ordinance—30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs—specifically at Fordo, a key site for Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Pentagon’s initial briefings aligned with Trump’s success narrative but emphasized the necessity for further evaluations before concluding the state of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. General Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged definite damage but refrained from declaring a total halt to Iran's nuclear pursuits.

American and Israeli intelligence assessments continue, hampered by ongoing developments in the region. The situation remains fluid, and both nations are maintaining a cautious approach as they navigate the implications of the strikes on global nuclear security.