Trump had said 'It's gone': Satellite images show Fordo Nuclear Facility struck by the US
Following the US bunker-buster bomb attack on Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, satellite images of the area have been shared with the public. In a statement after the attack, US President Donald Trump had said, "Fordo is no more."
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On the 10th day of the Israel-Iran conflict, the US targeted the Fordo nuclear facility, described as Iran's "nuclear heart." The US, which attacked this strategic underground facility with bunker-buster munitions, also carried out operations against nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan in the same time zone. The damage caused by the attack on Fordo has been documented with images taken from space.
(Satellite image of Fordo taken on June 2)
The US-based news agency The Associated Press (AP) analyzed and shared satellite photos obtained on Sunday, June 22, with the public.
According to the examinations, the destruction caused by the bombardment is clearly visible in the images of Fordo's nuclear facility, which is located in a mountainous region and hidden underground.
(Satellite images of Fordo taken on Sunday, June 22, after the US attacks)
In the images provided by Planet Labs PBC, it is notable that the mountain, which previously had brown tones, has now turned gray and its topographical structure differs significantly from previous images. According to AP's assessments, these changes indicate that "specially made bunker-buster bombs" were used by the US. Additionally, it was reported that a light gray smoke layer that emerged after the attack is still being observed in Iranian airspace.
Another important detail in the images is that the tunnels at the entry points of Fordo appear to be closed. This suggests that Iran may have to carry out large-scale excavations around the facility to reach those trapped inside.
In statements made by the Iranian and Israeli sides following the attack, no clear information has yet been provided regarding the extent of the damage at Fordo and other targeted facilities.
TRUMP HAD SAID 'FORDO IS NO MORE'
US President Donald Trump had said in a statement after the attack on Iran that Fordo was no more.
Trump had stated, "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely destroyed."