A mass evacuation of the population has begun in the Iranian city of Qom amid reports of US air strikes on the Fordow nuclear complex located near the city. According to Iranian media, a video allegedly filmed in the Fordow area is being circulated on social media, showing smoke and destruction after the attack. The strikes, carried out on the night of June 22, 2025, became part of an escalation of the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel, sharply exacerbating the situation in the region and causing panic among local residents.

The Fordow complex, located deep beneath a rocky outcrop in Qom province, is considered the most secure site in Iran’s nuclear program, used to enrich uranium. Western sources say the United States used B-2 Spirit strategic bombers, which can carry bunker buster bombs designed to destroy hardened targets, to carry out the attack. Iranian officials confirmed the strike but said the facility suffered no significant damage and that key components, including centrifuges, were unharmed. They said personnel had been evacuated in advance and stockpiles of enriched uranium had been moved to safe locations, eliminating the risk of radiation.

Panic in Qom, Iran's major religious and cultural center, began immediately after the attack. Thousands of residents, fearing further strikes and possible environmental impacts, began fleeing the city, causing traffic jams and overcrowded train stations. Local authorities have set up temporary shelters in neighboring provinces but say they lack the resources to accommodate the refugees. Electricity supplies have been cut off in the city and hospitals have been placed on emergency status, according to Iranian media. International aid agencies have called for aid to be provided to Qom, but the fighting is making it difficult to deliver supplies.

The conflict, which began in June 2025 with Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, has escalated into a series of mutual attacks. The United States, backing Israel, joined the operation, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, which Washington accuses of developing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the accusations, emphasizing the peaceful nature of its program. The Fordow strike was the culmination of the American effort, but its limited effectiveness has raised questions about the possibility of further operations.

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the attack. A spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tehran was considering strikes against U.S. bases in the region, including in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, using ballistic missiles and drones. Iran has carried out drills in recent days, practicing attacks on sea and land targets, raising tensions in the Persian Gulf.

Analysts say the panic in Qom reflects deep anxiety in Iranian society, already exhausted by sanctions and an economic crisis. The Fordow strikes, despite their limited impact, have fueled anti-American sentiment and could push Tehran to more aggressive action. At the same time, Israel, which supports the US operation, has put its armed forces on high alert, expecting retaliatory attacks.

The evacuation of Qom underscores the gravity of the crisis and its humanitarian consequences. According to local sources, the region is experiencing shortages of food and medicine, and the number of refugees continues to grow. The situation remains extremely volatile, and without urgent diplomatic efforts, the conflict risks escalating into a full-scale war with catastrophic consequences for the region and the world.