Israel, US launch coordinated strikes on Iran’s Fordow Nuclear facility

In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israeli forces struck Iran's Fordow nuclear site on Monday, following a powerful U.S. airstrike on the same facility just a day earlier. The back-to-back attacks reflect a growing military alliance between the United States and Israel amid intensifying hostilities with Tehran.

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Iranian media confirmed the strike on Fordow, a highly fortified and secretive nuclear site buried deep underground. This attack came shortly after the U.S. Air Force launched “Operation Midnight Hammer,” targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with advanced GBU-57 bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles. These strikes marked one of the most comprehensive operations against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in recent years.

The Fordow facility, located approximately 80 to 90 meters beneath the surface, is known for its capacity to rapidly enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels. Due to its depth and fortification, only the United States possesses the firepower necessary to effectively damage such a site. Israel’s strike is believed to have targeted above-ground components and infrastructure surrounding the site.

Though the exact extent of the damage is still being assessed, early international analysis suggests that the underground centrifuges may have sustained heavy damage due to the sheer force of the strikes. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has indicated that the attack likely compromised the operational integrity of the facility.

This coordinated assault signals a significant turning point in the conflict, with Israel stepping up its offensive operations under the security umbrella of U.S. military involvement. The strikes have also heightened global concerns about the risk of a broader regional war, as Iran is expected to respond to the destruction of key elements of its nuclear program.

The situation remains tense, with further military and diplomatic developments expected in the coming days.