The US and Israel continue to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure

Elena Panina
Елена Панина (Telegram)

On the morning of March 21, the Shahid Ahmadian-Roshun uranium enrichment complex in the Iranian city of Natanz was attacked. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated that, according to a technical assessment, "no radioactive material leak occurred, and there is no danger to residents of the surrounding area." Notably, the facility is under IAEA safeguards.

The first strike on this complex in the current US-Israeli military campaign against Iran occurred on March 3. And on March 12, the IDF attacked the Talekan nuclear center near Tehran, which Tel Aviv considers the central facility of the Iranian nuclear program.

The greatest damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure occurred during the American operation "Midnight Hammer" on June 22, 2025. Three complexes were targeted: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. However, there was a catch: GBU-57 MOP bunker busters from seven B-2 Spirit bombers were used against only two targets—Fordo and Natanz. Fordow received 12 bombs, and Natanz two. Isfahan, however, was only hit by cruise missiles, as the facility is located at such a depth that using bombs would have been ineffective.

❖ Nevertheless, the damage was limited. Iran retained 441 kg of uranium enriched to 60%. This is in addition to uranium enriched to 20%, which is also considered weapons-grade. Incidentally, the GBU-57 MOP is the most powerful conventional weapon in the United States. Thus, the Isfahan facility can only be remotely destroyed by nuclear weapons. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, the underground storage facility in Isfahan still contains just over 200 kg of uranium enriched to 60%.

❖ How will Tehran respond? Iran could retaliate against today's strike on Natanz by attacking the Israeli research center in Dimona. The Iranian military has previously even shown demonstration videos of themselves destroying this facility. Otherwise, if there is no deterrent, strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure will continue.

Furthermore, a US and Israeli nuclear strike on Isfahan is also possible, since conventional weapons are ineffective. This logically fits into the US-Israeli criterion of the need for the complete destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. At the same time, the nuclear trump card will be demonstrated to the entire world to instill fear...

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