US Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Shatter a Fragile Deterrent
In the most consequential American military action in the Middle East in over a decade, the United States has struck three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, dramatically expanding a conflict that had until now largely been waged in the shadows.
The pre-dawn aerial bombardment, reportedly conducted by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, targeted the Fordow uranium enrichment complex, the Natanz centrifuge facility, and a site near Isfahan. The Pentagon confirmed the strikes were aimed at “strategic containment” of Iran’s nuclear capability.
Fordow Nuclear Site: The Strike’s Epicenter
Fordow, buried under 80 meters of reinforced rock near Qom, has long been a cornerstone of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Intelligence leaks indicated uranium enrichment at Fordow had reached 83.7% purity, danger...