US Military Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites
Recent satellite imagery from Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility has depicted the aftermath of a significant airstrike conducted by the US military, part of what has been termed Operation Midnight Hammer.
On Saturday, the US startled many by launching strikes using B-2 stealth bombers targeting nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Air Force Secretary General Dan Kane shared during a Pentagon briefing on Sunday that all three locations sustained considerable damage, although a detailed evaluation of the destruction will take some time.
The Fordow site, known for its underground nuclear enrichment activities, was notably affected; satellite images reveal substantial damage to its structures.
“I think it’s safe to say that Iran’s nuclear program is, well, significantly impacted after this strike,” Kane remarked.
Recently taken satellite images also show vehicles on the Fordow site, which is located on a mountainside near Qom, roughly 60 miles southwest of Tehran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there has been no uptick in off-site radiation levels following the attacks on the three facilities.
In an update, the IAEA confirmed, “No increase in offsite radiation levels has been noted at this time,” in a post shared Sunday morning.
Fox News Digital reached out to the IAEA for insights on whether any nuclear materials were relocated from the affected sites before the strikes. IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi noted that a meeting will take place on Monday to discuss the implications of the airstrikes.
Details of Operation Midnight Hammer
Describing the operation, Kane mentioned that this was the largest B-2 tactical strike in US history. It involved sophisticated deception tactics and utilized over 125 aircraft, including seven B-2 bombers and several fighter jets from various generations, along with multiple refueling tankers and missile submarines. There was a strong emphasis on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance as part of the military strategy.
In total, about 75 precision-guided munitions were deployed, which featured the deployment of 14 heavy GBU 57 bombs, marking their first operational use.
