New information has surfaced about the U.S. military operation on June 21 that targeted three of Iran’s nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
According to Fox News, the coordinated attack involved both American stealth B-2 bombers and submarines. The Fordow facility, buried deep within a mountain, was struck with six massive “bunker buster” bombs, specifically the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), each weighing 30,000 pounds. These were deployed from B-2 bombers, the only aircraft capable of carrying them.
The Natanz and Isfahan sites were targeted using a different strategy. Fox News reported that 30 Tomahawk missiles were launched from U.S. submarines stationed roughly 400 miles away. The result: near-total destruction of the Fordow site and heavy damage to the other two.
Fordow is among Iran’s most secretive nuclear locations, with key facilities located 80 to 90 meters (262 to 295 feet) underground, making it a highly fortified target.
Natanz, located about 150 miles south of Tehran, is Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility, while Isfahan is home to the country’s most significant nuclear research center.
Originally, the U.S. believed only two bunker buster bombs would be needed to take out Fordow, but six were ultimately used to ensure its destruction.
Reactions from U.S. lawmakers to the strike have been mixed, with ongoing debate about the implications of the attack and the potential for further escalation.
