After US, Israeli Strike Targets Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site: All You Need To Know
The Fordow nuclear plant, nestled deep within a mountain, has long been a focal point of international scrutiny over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Tensions in the Middle East surged yet again as Israeli forces launched a fresh assault on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility on Monday, marking the second attack in as many days. The strike, confirmed by a spokesperson from the Crisis Management Headquarters in Qom Province and reported by semi-official Tasnim news agency, comes swiftly after a US military assault on the same fortified site over the weekend.
The Fordow nuclear plant, nestled deep within a mountain, has long been a focal point of international scrutiny over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. According to analysts reviewing satellite images, Sunday’s US attack appears to have inflicted severe damage on the site, with some reports suggesting possible destruction of key uranium enrichment centrifuges. However, independent verification of the extent of the damage remains pending.
Iran Warns of Escalation, Targets ‘Expanded’
In a fiery response, Tehran has declared that the US offensive has widened the scope of what it now considers legitimate military targets. Speaking in stark terms, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari warned Washington directly, stating in a video message, "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it."
Despite its pointed rhetoric, Iran’s retaliation so far has been primarily directed at Israel through a volley of missiles, while refraining from direct military action against US assets or disrupting the critical global oil shipping routes near its coastline at the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Hints at Regime Change
While the Trump administration insists that its primary objective remains dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities rather than initiating a broader conflict, the US President has not shied away from making provocative statements. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that a change in Iran’s leadership may not be off the table, writing: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"
Following the US strike, Trump celebrated the operation's success, calling it a "Bullseye!!!" and declaring, "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran. The biggest damage took place far below ground level."
US Bombing Likely Inflicted Heavy Damage: UN Nuclear Chief
The US bombing is believed to have caused substantial destruction to the underground sections of the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, though the full scope of the damage remains uncertain, according to the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
"Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme(ly) vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred," Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said during an emergency session of the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, reported Reuters.
While inspectors have yet to fully assess the damage, Grossi’s remarks suggest that the bombing may have seriously impaired key parts of the facility.
World Watches As Hostilities Intensify
As both Iran and Israel continue trading air and missile strikes, global anxiety mounts over the possibility of a wider regional conflict. The back-to-back assaults on Fordow highlight the rapidly escalating confrontation, with observers warning that any misstep could trigger a full-scale war drawing in multiple powers.
Meanwhile, world leaders are closely monitoring the unfolding situation, as Tehran’s next move remains uncertain. The coming days are likely to test not just military might, but diplomatic resolve across the region.
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