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Satellite images reveal strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites (PHOTOS)

Damage to latest enrichment plant seen in Natanz

Jun 15, 2025 13:37 1 219

Satellite images shared with BBC Verify have given a clearer picture of the damage inflicted on two of Iran's key nuclear sites, as well as other military targets.

Images from two different sources show damage to the Natanz nuclear facility, as well as a missile site south of the city of Tabriz - hit in the first round of strikes on Iran on Friday.

Other images show damage to other known missile sites.

Newly released optical satellite images from Maxar provide the clearest picture yet of what happened to key Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz and Isfahan.

Damage to latest enrichment plant seen in Natanz and the electrical substation, according to an analysis by the Institute for Space and International Security (ISIL). This is a follow-up to an earlier analysis of radar images that first showed the damage.

On Friday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, told the UN Security Council that “the above-ground part of the pilot fuel enrichment plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched to 60% U-235, had been destroyed“.

Uranium-235 is essential for both nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.

Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) told BBC Verify that Although inconclusive, the pattern of the explosions "would be consistent with the use of penetrator bombs. Probably GBU-31(V)3 or even possibly more specialized GBU-28 penetrators."

These munitions, known as "bunker busters," have been used by Israel in the past to target underground facilities in both Gaza and Lebanon.

However, Grossi said "there is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the pilot fuel enrichment plant and the main fuel enrichment plant."

On Saturday, the IAEA confirmed that four "critical buildings" were damaged in Isfahan, including the uranium conversion facility and the fuel plate manufacturing plant.

A BBC Verify analysis of the latest images from Maxar found visible damage to at least two structures in Isfahan and a visible burn mark near the perimeter of the site.

The IAEA said that “no increase in radiation outside the site“ neither at Natanz nor at Isfahan.

Maxar also provided images of two other key Iranian nuclear sites that show no visible evidence of damage, specifically the Arak heavy water reactor or the Fordow enrichment facility.

Iranian media reported that the latter site was targeted, but the Israel Defense Forces has since denied this.

Images and analysis taken on Friday by Umbra Space reveal damage to several parts of a missile complex near the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran. Damaged sites include weapons depots, missile shelters and silos, according to an annotated graphic provided by Umbra with analysis by geospatial intelligence consultant Chris Biggers.

In Kermanshah, low-resolution imagery from Planet Labs shows extensive burn marks in an area near a known missile base and possible damage to two buildings.

Maxar also provided imagery showing significant damage to a structure at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ghadir ballistic missile base near Tehran, and significant damage to the IRGC radar site at Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan Province.