On June 23, 2025, satellite images released by the American company Maxar Technologies revealed the scale of the destruction at the Iranian nuclear facility Fordow after the US strike on the night of June 22. The images show a colossal crater formed as a result of the impact of GBU-57 (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) super-heavy bunker buster bombs dropped by B-2 Spirit bombers. According to experts, the size of the crater is so large that it “could easily fit a multi-story building,” which indicates the power of the weapons used.

The US attack, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer by President Donald Trump, targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Trump claimed on social media that the sites were “completely destroyed,” though Iranian officials and Tasnim say Fordow was only partially damaged. Satellite images from Maxar show not only craters but also exposed underground cavities beneath the hill where the uranium enrichment plant is located, indicating significant damage. According to Al Jazeera, the images show three craters near Fordow, as well as evidence of truck and bulldozer activity before the strike, suggesting Iran was attempting to fortify the site.

Fordow, located 90 feet beneath a granite rock formation near the city of Qom, is considered Iran’s most secure nuclear facility. It was built in secret in the 2000s and was discovered by Western intelligence in 2009. The facility is equipped with hundreds of centrifuges to enrich uranium to 20%, and the IAEA says it found uranium enriched to 2023%, close to weapons grade, there in 83,7. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed to CNN that Fordow suffered “very significant damage” from two GBU-57 bombs used in combat for the first time.

However, some experts have questioned the complete destruction of the Fordow underground halls, pointing out that the GBU-57 can penetrate up to 60 meters of rock under ideal conditions, while the site is protected by 90 meters of rock and reinforced concrete. Iranian officials have said that equipment and uranium stockpiles were evacuated before the strike, which is supported by Maxar images showing the movement of equipment on June 19-20.

The U.S. attack prompted an Iranian response: on the evening of June 23, Tehran launched 10 missiles at the al-Udeid air base in Qatar and one at a base in Iraq as part of Operation Basharat al-Fatah. Qatar said its air defenses intercepted the missiles and the base was partially evacuated. Alarm sirens sounded at U.S. bases in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. The Wall Street Journal noted that Iran was moving missile launchers for more strikes.

Russia and China condemned the actions of the US and Israel, calling them a violation of international law. Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya said the attacks had "opened a Pandora's box," and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for diplomacy. North Korea offered Iran help in restoring missile sites. Russia, while maintaining contacts with the US and Iran, advocates negotiations.