Satellite imagery suggests construction activity at Iran’s damaged nuclear facility
Recent satellite images show construction machinery at Fordow, one of the heavily bombed nuclear sites in Iran. It appears that efforts are underway to repair the damage and establish new access points.
The photographs, captured on Friday by Maxar Technologies, a U.S. commercial satellite imaging company, and obtained by Business Insider, highlight new developments near tunnel entrances and areas impacted by significant U.S. bombings at Fordow over the weekend.
According to Pentagon sources, the primary targets of these strikes—specifically GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busters—were exhaust shafts meant for deep access into the underground facility.
Additional imagery indicates that construction vehicles are engaged in creating new access roads and repairing the main entry route. While it remains unclear, Iran may be attempting to restore access in order to assess the state of both the site and its equipment.
A report from the Royal United Services Institute in March suggested that unless a prolonged strike campaign impeded Iran’s efforts, restoration work “to dig down to re-establish access and supplies would likely commence almost immediately” after an attack on its nuclear facilities.
With a recent ceasefire now established, U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites have come to an end. President Donald Trump stated that these operations “completely obliterated” such facilities, while Israel determined they significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear program.
Fordow was among three nuclear sites targeted during last weekend’s operations aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The U.S. also conducted strikes on Natanz using air-dropped munitions similar to those deployed at Fordow, while Isfahan was hit with sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The overall effect of these attacks on Iran’s programs—including enriched uranium stockpiles and equipment—remains uncertain as assessments of the damage are ongoing.
Experts from RUSI had previously indicated that effectively disabling the Fordow enrichment plant “would likely necessitate multiple impacts at a single target point for successful penetration.”
During a Pentagon press briefing on Thursday, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed that during “Operation Midnight Hammer,” MOP bunker-buster bombs were systematically dropped into exhaust shafts.
He further noted that personnel from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency had spent around 15 years studying Fordow and developing strategies for dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
President Trump claimed it is unlikely for Iran to rebuild these facilities; however, this assertion remains contentious. Other U.S. officials and nuclear arms experts have pointed out that while strikes may have postponed Iran’s ambitions by months or even years, it does not clarify whether they can still pursue nuclear weapon development.
Completely eradicating a nation’s expertise through bombing alone is challenging; some assessments suggest that Iran might currently be more motivated than ever to develop a nuclear weapon.
These U.S. military actions followed Israel’s newly launched campaign earlier this month aimed at disrupting what is alleged to be Iran’s civilian-focused nuclear program. While negotiations were ongoing between the U.S. and Iran regarding a potential nuclear agreement, an alternative strategy was implemented over the past weekend involving direct action against Iranian targets instead of diplomacy before subsequently calling for peace.
In retaliation for U.S. airstrikes, Iran fired ballistic missiles targeting a major American airbase in Qatar this week; however, reports indicate none hit their intended target according to U.S. sources. Leadership noted they had prior knowledge of imminent attacks. A ceasefire has since been established, temporarily halting hostilities.
