President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday evening that American forces carried out targeted strikes on three key nuclear installations in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The announcement came as tensions between Iran and Israel entered a volatile second week.
The decision to hit these sites marks a significant military intervention in the region. All three locations have long been monitored by international agencies and nuclear analysts due to their potential role in advancing Iran’s nuclear fuel cycle and weapons-related enrichment efforts.
Located roughly 250 kilometers south of Tehran, Natanz stands as Iran’s most expansive uranium enrichment complex. Experts describe it as the heart of Iran’s centrifuge development and assembly. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the site includes six buildings above ground and three underground structures—two of which can hold up to 50,000 centrifuges. Iran has enriched uranium up to 60% at its Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant within Natanz. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) notes that weapons-grade uranium requires 90% enrichment, making Natanz a focal point of global concern.
Fordow lies near the religious city of Qom, concealed deep within a mountain range. Israeli intelligence once obtained internal documents revealing significant details about its layout and operations. The facility’s enrichment halls are believed to be buried 80 to 90 meters underground, making them nearly impervious to all but the most advanced U.S. bunker-busting munitions. Recent IAEA reports confirmed that Iran had also increased uranium enrichment to 60% at Fordow. With approximately 2,700 centrifuges currently installed, it remains one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear assets.
Situated in central Iran, the Isfahan facility plays a pivotal role in nuclear research and fuel production. Built with Chinese assistance in 1984, Isfahan hosts around 3,000 scientists. According to NTI, the site features three Chinese-supplied research reactors, a conversion facility, fuel production units, and laboratories. The organization also identifies it as the suspected center of Iran’s nuclear program. Isfahan’s broad capabilities and scientific workforce make it a key part of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and a strategic target in Saturday’s U.S. strikes.
At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon defended U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, calling them a necessary step to eliminate "the greatest existential threat facing the free world." He accused Iran of using diplomacy as a stalling tactic while advancing its missile and uranium programs.
The Washington-based organization Human Rights Activists has reported that more than 600 people have been killed across Iran, including 380 civilians and 253 security personnel. The group, known for its detailed tracking during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, said the figures are based on cross-verified local reports and information from its in-country network.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, in an emergency Security Council meeting, accused the US of sabotaging diplomacy and acting under Israeli pressure. He warned that Iran had repeatedly cautioned Washington against escalation, calling the airstrikes a "flagrant breach of international law" and insisting that Tehran never abandoned negotiations in the first place.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened by Iran, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to meaningful negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. He emphasized the need for verifiable solutions, full UN inspector access, and a restoration of trust to preserve peace.
Seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that carried out the recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have returned to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Witnesses saw the aircraft land in two groups on a clear, windy Sunday afternoon.