In a dramatic escalation that’s sure to deepen global concern, the United States military launched targeted airstrikes on three of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear facilities—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow—on Sunday. These sites represent the core infrastructure of Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme, which Iranian authorities continue to insist is solely for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Speaking in firm and triumphant tones, US President Donald Trump hailed the operation as a “very successful attack,” claiming that Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated.” He reiterated Washington’s long-held stance: Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, Israel—America’s closest Middle East ally—has echoed similar sentiments, claiming its own series of recent strikes have significantly set back Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme by “several years.”
But Iran sees things very differently. Tehran has consistently denied any pursuit of nuclear arms, maintaining that its atomic ambitions are strictly peaceful and legally protected under international norms. Iran also blames the current escalation on Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement—an accord that originally limited Iran’s enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
After the US unilaterally exited the nuclear deal in 2018 under Trump’s administration, Iran progressively ramped up its enrichment efforts. The latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reveals alarming statistics: Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile now exceeds 9,247 kilograms—over 45 times the 2015 deal’s allowed limit. Notably, 408.6 kilograms are enriched up to 60%, uncomfortably close to weapons-grade level (90%).
Ground Reality: A Look at Iran’s Key Nuclear Facilities
Here’s a deeper look at the sites under attack and others within Iran’s expanding nuclear programme:
🔹 Natanz: The Nerve Center of Iran’s Uranium Enrichment
Located about 250 km south of Tehran, Natanz is heavily fortified and considered the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment operations. Its secret construction, first revealed in 2002 by an exiled Iranian opposition group, kicked off a prolonged diplomatic standoff with the West.
The facility hosts nearly 70 cascades of centrifuges across two enrichment halls, one of which is buried underground for protection. Israel has targeted this site before—in April 2021, the facility suffered damage Iran blamed on Israeli sabotage. And now, it's reportedly among the latest targets hit in the US assault.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that Natanz was one of the sites attacked. Israel called it “the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme.”
🔹 Fordow: Iran’s Underground Stronghold
Built under a mountain near Qom and exposed in 2009, Fordow was originally pitched by Iran as an emergency backup site. The West, however, saw it as a clear breach of international commitments. The facility was built to house about 3,000 centrifuges.
In 2023, uranium enriched to 83.7% was found at Fordow—dangerously close to weapons-grade. Iran brushed it off as a technical “fluctuation,” but the incident triggered deep international concern. Trump recently called Fordow “the primary site.”
🔹 Isfahan: Iran’s Industrial Backbone in Nuclear Conversion
In the heart of central Iran, the Isfahan plant handles uranium conversion—a key step in preparing raw uranium for enrichment. Since 2004, this facility has been processing uranium into gas for centrifuges. It also includes a fuel fabrication plant, operational since 2009, and was targeted multiple times in June 2024.
Iran announced plans in 2022 to build a research reactor there. According to Israeli sources, four buildings at the site have been hit since June 13.
Other Nuclear-Related Sites Across Iran
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Arak: A heavy-water research reactor, frozen under the 2015 deal, but now reportedly being prepared for commissioning by 2026. It’s officially meant for producing medical isotopes but raises concerns over potential plutonium production.
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Tehran: Hosts a nuclear research reactor supplied by the US in 1967, currently used for medical research.
Nuclear Power Plants: A Civilian Front or Dual-Use Ambition?
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Bushehr: Iran’s only active nuclear power plant, built by Russia and operational since 2012. Russia continues to provide nuclear fuel for it.
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Darkhovin: A 300-megawatt facility under construction since 2022 in Iran’s southwest.
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Sirik: A large-scale 5,000-megawatt complex under development near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, begun in early 2024.
The Bigger Picture: Escalation, Uncertainty, and Global Stakes
With key enrichment facilities now under fire and nuclear fuel stockpiles nearing weapons-grade levels, the risk of a broader regional or even global confrontation cannot be dismissed. The IAEA continues to inspect these sites, but enforcement without global consensus has become increasingly difficult.
Trump’s message is clear: military force remains on the table to block Iran’s nuclear advancement. Iran, meanwhile, remains defiant—accelerating its programme, expanding its infrastructure, and portraying itself as a victim of unjustified aggression.
This could be a turning point not just in US-Iran relations, but in the broader battle over nuclear proliferation and Middle East stability. The world is now watching closely—with hope, fear, and a growing sense of déjà vu.