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Nuclear facilities

US Joins Israel in Escalating Conflict Against Iran with Strikes on Nuclear Facilities

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated on Saturday when the United States joined the fray, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan enrichment facilities. The strikes come after Israel's Operation Rising Lion strikes on June 13, and mark a significant escalation in the conflict. The US strikes targeted Iran's primary nuclear facility, Natanz, where uranium was being enriched to up to 60 per cent, and the Fordow enrichment facility, located southwest of Tehran. The Iranian government confirmed that there were "no signs of contamination" after the strikes, and no radioactive release had been detected by radiation detectors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US strikes targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan enrichment facilities.
  • The Natanz enrichment facility, Iran's primary nuclear facility, was previously targeted by Israeli strikes on June 13.
  • The Fordow enrichment facility, located southwest of Tehran, was struck with a "full payload of bombs", with reports indicating that six bunker buster bombs were used.
  • The US used the GBU-57 series Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) to strike Fordo nuclear facility, a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb designed to pierce through hardened underground bunkers.
  • The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft, capable of carrying two bunker-busting bombs and flying 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, was used in the strikes.
  • US President Trump warned Iran that "there will either be peace or there will be tragedy" and that Iran must end the war.
  • Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and totally obliterated" according to Trump.

Statistics:

  • 30,000-pound MOP represents the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.
  • The GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb has been designed to strike any deeply buried bunkers or tunnels.
  • The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft has a range of 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers).
  • 6 bunker buster bombs were reportedly used on Iran's Fordow research site.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times
  • Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
  • International Atomic Energy Agency
  • US Department of Defense
  • CNN/AP
  • AFP news agency

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