Tehran, July 2, 2025 — Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed that key nuclear facilities in the country sustained serious damage as a result of airstrikes carried out by the United States on June 22. These strikes mark a pivotal escalation in a rapidly intensifying conflict that has gripped the region since a wave of attacks began in mid-June.
Speaking on the state-run broadcaster IRIB, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. He emphasized that “although the strikes were powerful and targeted critical infrastructure, Iran’s preemptive actions before and during the attack helped minimize casualties and preserve some elements of the facilities.” According to Araghchi, preparations had been made in advance, allowing for the evacuation of personnel and the shutdown of sensitive systems.
The airstrikes were part of a military campaign dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer. The operation targeted three sites central to Iran’s nuclear program — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to outlets including the BBC and other international agencies, the strikes involved 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, along with dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarine platforms, aimed at penetrating fortified underground targets.
Speaking to the press, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the strikes “delivered a devastating blow to Iran’s uranium enrichment capability.” However, Iranian officials have challenged that assertion. Araghchi insisted that Iran retains the ability to restore its program and will continue to defend its nuclear rights within the framework of international law and agreements.
Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies and analyzed by various global media outlets shows significant surface-level destruction. The Fordow site appears to have suffered the most visible damage, with large craters observed near tunnel entrances. Damage at Natanz and Isfahan appears less extensive on the surface, though experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warn that even minor seismic disturbances could seriously impact the delicate centrifuge systems housed underground.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that without on-site inspections, it is impossible to determine the full scale of the damage. Nevertheless, he confirmed that no radiation leakage has been detected beyond the facilities, suggesting that containment systems are still functioning effectively.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation. As tensions rise, diplomatic efforts are intensifying in an attempt to prevent a broader conflict. Emergency consultations are expected in the coming days among representatives of the EU, China, and several Gulf nations, all seeking to keep the crisis from spiraling further out of control.
Iran has stated its intention to seek international condemnation of the strikes, calling the U.S. actions a violation of the UN Charter and an act of aggression. Officials in Tehran maintain that while Iran will respond “cautiously but firmly,” it will not abandon its principle of strategic restraint.
The growing instability in the region now threatens not only recent diplomatic gains but also poses new challenges to global security. As major world powers become increasingly entangled in this complex and volatile standoff, the future of Iran’s nuclear program — and regional peace more broadly — hangs in the balance.
