**Recent satellite images show increased activity at Iran's Fordo enrichment site following U.S. bombings, where workers seem to assess damage rather than initiate repairs.**
**Satellite Imagery Reveals Post-Attack Activity at Iran's Fordo Enrichment Site**
**Satellite Imagery Reveals Post-Attack Activity at Iran's Fordo Enrichment Site**
**Newly captured satellite images unveil Iran's immediate response to U.S. strikes at its Fordo nuclear facility, signaling an inspection effort rather than reconstruction.**
Satellite images obtained shortly after the U.S. military targeted Iran's Fordo nuclear enrichment facility reveal notable activity at the site, which has been a focal point in ongoing military tensions. Captured by Maxar Technologies on June 29, the images depict fresh construction of access roads leading to impact sites and machinery, which analysts believe indicate Iran's initial damage assessment efforts.
Joseph S. Bermudez, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted, “It appears that they’re evaluating the hole, evaluating how deep it went.” The images suggest that Iran is beginning its investigations into the extent of the damage inflicted by U.S. B-2 bombers that dropped 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators—often termed “bunker busters”—on June 22.
Despite assertions from President Trump that the facility had been “obliterated,” assessments vary regarding the actual damage incurred. Observers suggest that Iran is utilizing newly constructed roads and heavy machinery, such as cranes and excavators, to understand precisely how the bombings affected the facility. Peter McDonald, a director at Viper Applied Science, remarked that evidence does not point to any immediate repairs underway; rather, the imagery indicates that Iran is focused on damage evaluation.
The strikes did not solely stem from U.S. actions; Israel also claimed to have targeted Fordo a day after the American strikes, causing collateral damage to access routes. In a testament to rapid recovery efforts, the satellite imagery reveals that Iran expeditiously filled in a large crater on June 27 that was left from the Israeli attack.
As of now, there seems to be no movement from Iran towards comprehensive repairs or reactivation of the enrichment capabilities at the Fordo site. Bermudez suggested, “I don’t think they’ve moved into the phase of reactivation.” Further, he indicated a lack of evidence for extensive repair operations, emphasizing the necessity of observing more vehicles and varied types of machinery for such activities.
Amidst these developments and ongoing geopolitical tensions, experts continue to scrutinize the implications of the activity captured in these recent satellite evaluations as they await further updates on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Joseph S. Bermudez, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted, “It appears that they’re evaluating the hole, evaluating how deep it went.” The images suggest that Iran is beginning its investigations into the extent of the damage inflicted by U.S. B-2 bombers that dropped 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators—often termed “bunker busters”—on June 22.
Despite assertions from President Trump that the facility had been “obliterated,” assessments vary regarding the actual damage incurred. Observers suggest that Iran is utilizing newly constructed roads and heavy machinery, such as cranes and excavators, to understand precisely how the bombings affected the facility. Peter McDonald, a director at Viper Applied Science, remarked that evidence does not point to any immediate repairs underway; rather, the imagery indicates that Iran is focused on damage evaluation.
The strikes did not solely stem from U.S. actions; Israel also claimed to have targeted Fordo a day after the American strikes, causing collateral damage to access routes. In a testament to rapid recovery efforts, the satellite imagery reveals that Iran expeditiously filled in a large crater on June 27 that was left from the Israeli attack.
As of now, there seems to be no movement from Iran towards comprehensive repairs or reactivation of the enrichment capabilities at the Fordo site. Bermudez suggested, “I don’t think they’ve moved into the phase of reactivation.” Further, he indicated a lack of evidence for extensive repair operations, emphasizing the necessity of observing more vehicles and varied types of machinery for such activities.
Amidst these developments and ongoing geopolitical tensions, experts continue to scrutinize the implications of the activity captured in these recent satellite evaluations as they await further updates on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
