Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
President Donald Trump announced that the United States had “completely erased” three Iranian nuclear sites in what he called “spectacular” strikes.
The soldiers used so -called “Bunker Buster” bombs and missiles to target Fordwow fortified installations as well as Natanz and Isfahan sites.
Trump’s decision to join the military campaign of Israel marks a strong escalation in the region, which has experienced more than 21 months of Israeli genocide in Gaza.
The American intervention comes more than a week after Israel launched an unlikely strike on Iranian nuclear and military sites after accused Tehran of making an atomic bomb.
Iran, as well as the United Nations nuclear guard dog, rejected the affirmations that Tehran was about to develop nuclear weapons.
How did the attack occur and which sites were targeted?
Trump announced the bombing of three of the main nuclear sites in Iran:
- Fordow Fuel Enrichment Factory – A highly strongly fortified and deeply buried uranium enrichment site near the city of the north of Qom.
- Natanz Nuclear Facility – The main uranium -enrichment complex of Iran, located near Isfahan, in the center of Iran.
- Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center – a key conversion and research center in the south of the city of Isfahan.
According to the United States, General Dan Caine, president of the joint staff chiefs, a large training of seven B-2 bombers, each with two crew members, was launched from the United States on Friday at midnight in the context of operation Midnight Hammer.
To maintain the tactical surprise, a group of lure stole west over the Pacific, while the main striking group headed east with a minimum of communications during a 18-hour flight.
At 5 p.m. HNE (1:30 a.m. local time and 9:00 p.m. GMT), an American submarine in the region launched more than two dozen tomahawk missiles, striking surface infrastructure targets in Isfahan.
At 6:40 p.m. (2:10 a.m., Iran time and 22:40 GMT), lead B-2 dropped two GBBU-57 massive ammunition penetrators (MOPS) on Fordow, followed by a total of 14 mops fallen on Fordow and Natanz.
The three nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – were struck between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. HNE (1:30 to 2:00, local time; 22: 40-23: 10 GMT). The latest wave of tomahawk missiles struck Isfahan last to preserve the surprise.
In total, more than 125 American planes participated, in particular stealth bombers, fighter planes, dozens of oil tankers, surveillance planes and support teams.
The Pentagon has described it as the biggest B-2 combat operation in the history of the United States and the second largest mission B-2 never stolen. The protection of force in the region was raised in anticipation of potential reprisals.
Where are Iran’s nuclear sites?
The Iranian nuclear program spreads to several key sites. While Iran insists that its program is peaceful and intended for energy and medical research, the United States and Israel remain deeply suspicious.
The resumption of enrichment by uranium by Iran after the American withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018 in 2018 only widen tensions. Israel, who was vehemently opposed to the nuclear agreement under the American president Barack Obama, promised to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by all the necessary means. On June 13, he launched strikes on Iran a day before a sixth cycle of American nuclear talks from Iran.
Attack on Fordow
The fuel enrichment factory of the Iran Ford-Fordow, located approximately 95 km (60 miles) southwest of Tehran, is built deep inside a mountain, up to 80 to 90 meters (260 to 300 feet) underground, to survive air strikes and Buster attacks.
According to Sanad, the Al Jazeera fact verification agency, three locations show damage: two craters resulting from bunker bombs and a damaged air defense site designed to protect the nuclear reactor.
Mehdi Mohammadi, adviser to the president of the Iranian Parliament, said that the American attack was not surprising and that no irreversible damage had been suffered during the strikes. He added that the authorities had evacuated the three sites in advance.
Attack on Natanz
Natanz Nuclear Facility, the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, is located in the province of Isfahan.
During a previous attack on June 15, the section above the ground of a pilot fuel enrichment factory, where uranium was enriched up to 60%, was destroyed by an Israeli strike, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Natanz’s key electrical infrastructure, such as sub-stations, main construction, emergency supply and rescue generators, was also destroyed. There was no direct blow on the underground cascade room, but the loss of power may have damaged the centrifuges used for the enrichment of uranium.
Attack on Isfahan
Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center is a key conversion and research establishment in the south of the city of Isfahan. It plays an essential role in preparing raw materials for enrichment and use of reactors.
It is the third Time Isfahan has been struck since Israel launched attacks across Iran on June 13, which sparked fears of regional escalation.
Bunker bombs
Strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites were carried out using B-2 furtive bombers armed with so-called “Bunker Buster»Bombs, alongside Tomahawk cruise missiles launched by submarine.
Experts have long noted that the Fordow Fuel enrichment factory – lowered deeply into a mountain – could only be destroyed by the massive penetrator of 30,000 pounds (13,600 kg) in the United States, the most powerful bunker bomb in the world. The United States remains the only known country to have this weapon.
No sign of contamination
Iran nuclear agency said on Sunday that monitoring of radiation and field assessments show no sign of contamination or risk for residents near targeted sites.
“Following the illegal American attack on Ford, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear installations, no contamination has been recorded,” said the agency on social networks. “There is no danger for residents around these sites. Security remains stable. “
In a separate declaration, the organization of atomic energy of Iran promised that its nuclear activities would continue despite strikes, affirming that it “ensures the great Iranian nation that, despite the hostile plots of its enemies, the efforts of thousands of committed and revolutionary martyrs will not ensure”.
The IAEA, the UN nuclear guard dog, has not noticed an increase in radiation levels near the targeted sites.
The attacks came Israel and Iran have been engaged In addition to a week of air combat, with more than 400 killed in Iran and 24 victims reported in Israel.
Six Iranian scientistsOf which two were eminent nuclear scientists, were also killed in Israeli strikes.
