Weapons and the size of damage: What we know about American strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
US President Donald Trump says that the United States carried out a "successful" attack by bombing three nuclear sites in Iran, and "completely destroying it."
The Pentagon stated on Sunday that assessing the effects of the attack entirely will take some time, although it seems that all the sites have been subjected to "very severe damage."
Israel says it was in "full coordination" with the United States in planning strikes. Iranian officials confirmed the targeting of facilities, but they denied that they were severely damaged.
These strikes represent a great escalation in the war between Iran and Israel.
Here is what we know.
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What bombed the United States, and what weapons did you use?
General Dan Kane, head of the joint American Staff, stated that the "midnight hammer" operation was attended by 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 ghost bombers.
The United States said that three nuclear facilities were targeted, which are Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
During a briefing in the Pentagon, Kane stated that launchers launched from the United States on a 18-hour journey, and some headed west towards the Pacific "for the purpose of deception", while the main strikes squad, consisting of seven B-2 launchers in Iran.
He added that immediately before the aircraft entered the Iranian airspace, more than twenty Tomahawk Cruise missiles were fired from an American submarine on targets at the Asfahan site.
Kane said that as the bombers entered the Iranian airspace, the United States used "several deception methods, including bait", as combat aircraft evacuated the airspace in front of them, to verify the presence of hostile aircraft or surface-to-air missiles. Then the main bombs of B-2 dropped two super-19-5 bombs for the fortifications of the nuclear site in Fordo.
Kane announced the dropping of 14 supernatural bombing in two targeted areas.
Kane said that the three targets of Iranian nuclear infrastructure were bombed, between 18:40 to 19:05, EST. Then the bombers left the Iranian airspace and began to return to the United States.
"The Iranian fighters have not been fired, and the Iranian-air missile systems appear to have not seen us," Kane said.
In the same area, Defense Minister Beit Higseth said that the operation did not target Iranian forces or the Iranian people.
He added that the mission "was never aimed at changing the system."
The Minister of Defense expressed his appreciation for our "Israeli allies" for the support they provided, adding that the operations took months and weeks of planning.
Fordo's nuclear site is located in a remote mountainous area, and it includes an uranium enrichment facility, which is vital to Iran's nuclear aspirations.
This site, south of Tehran, is believed to be deeper underground from the channel tunnel between Britain and France.
Given the depth of the Fordo underground facility, it is the United States alone that has a large "supermented" bomb to penetrate the site.
It weighs about 13,000 kilograms, and it can penetrate about 18 meters of concrete or 61 meters from the ground before it explodes, according to the experts.
Because of the depth of Fordo tunnels, the success of a supernatural bomb for fortifications is not guaranteed, but it is the only bomb that can approach this.
Caen confirmed that the seven B-2 Spirit launchers used 14 mobs (MP), within "75 weapons directed accurately" in the strikes against Iran.
What is known about the effect of attacks?
General Kane stated that it would take some time, to assess the extent of damage caused by the American attack.
But he said, "The initial evaluation of the damage of the battle indicates that the three sites were severely damaged and destroyed."
Modern satellite photos on June 22 show six new pits on Fordo's nuclear site, which are likely to have been the entry points of American ammunition, as well as gray dust and scattered debris at the foot of the mountain.
After the United States confirming the use of GBU-57 in the attack, Sto Rai, the chief photo analyst at McKinsey Intelligence Company, told the BBC's fact-finding unit:
He added that it seems that three separate munitions were thrown on two separate collision points, and that the gray color on the ground shows a concrete wreck scattered by explosions.
Ray also added that the entrances to the tunnel seem to be brought. Due to the lack of visual pits or collision points near it, indicating that this may have been an Iranian attempt to "alleviate the deliberate targeting of the entrances with air strikes."
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization described the bombing of the three nuclear sites as a "blatant violation" of international law.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that there is no increase in radiation levels after the attack.
The deputy political director of the Iranian Radio and Television Authority, Hassan Abedini, stated that Iran had evacuated these three nuclear sites "a while ago." In his appearance on official television, he said that Iran "did not receive a big blow because the materials were already removed."
How will Iran respond?
Within hours of American bombing, Iran launched a new barbecue of missiles, hitting parts of Tel Aviv and Haifa. Officials reported that at least 86 people were injured.
Iranian President Masoud Bouchakian said on Sunday that the United States "should receive in response to its aggression."
He said in a statement: "We have always confirmed our willingness to engage and negotiate within the framework of international law, but instead of accepting logic, the other party demanded the surrender of the Iranian nation."
Frank Gardner, the BBC Security Affairs correspondent, says Iran now should choose between three strategic working tracks in response to the American attack:
- Not to do anything. This may be avoided by more American attacks. Iran may choose even the diplomatic path and join negotiations with the United States. But the failure makes the Iranian regime appear weak, especially after all its severe warnings if the United States launched an attack. The ruling regime may see that the risk of weakening its grip on its people exceeds the cost of any other American attacks.
- Response strongly and quickly. Iran still has a huge arsenal of ballistic missiles after its manufacture and hidden for years. It has a list of goals with about 20 American rulers to choose from in the Great Middle East. It can also launch attacks on US Navy's warships, using swarms of drones and fast Torbid boats.
- The response later at the time you choose. This means waiting until the current tension calms down, and launched a sudden attack when the American bases are not at a state of high alert.
What did Donald Trump said and how was the reaction of American politicians?
In a publication on his "Truth Social" platform at 19:50 United States, Trump confirmed the strikes on Fordo, Nanz and Isfahan.
Almost two hours later, accompanied by Vice President Jd Di Vans, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and Defense Minister Higseth, Trump made a televised speech.
He said that future attacks will be "more severe", unless Iran has reached a diplomatic solution.
He added, "Remember, there are still many goals."
Several Republican colleagues have released support for this step, including Senator for Texas, Ted Cruz, who "praised" the president.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who previously criticized Trump, described the move as a "wise response to the advocates of war in Tehran."
But not all Republicans were supportive of this step, said Margori Taylor Green, a member of Congress for Georgia, and one of the most supportive supporters of Trump, said, "This is not our battle."
A member of the Republican Congress, Thomas Massi, who previously submitted a bill that prevented Trump from attacking Iran without the approval of the legislators, described the strikes as "unconstitutional." On the other hand, Trump described a post on social media, Massi as a "compassionate loser."
The first article of the United States constitution gives the authority to declare war to Congress, that is, to the elected legislators in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
But the second article states that the president is the supreme leader, and gives him the authority to issue an order to use military force to defend the United States, against actual or expected attacks.
Hakim Jeffrez, a prominent American democracy, said Trump is risking the United States' implication "in a possible catastrophic war in the Middle East," while others accused him of bypassing Congress to launch a new war.
How was the reaction of world leaders?
Britain, France and Germany called on Iran to avoid any action, which would increase the "stability" of the Middle East.
In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Sir Kerr Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said that they "have clearly emphasized that Iran could never possess a nuclear weapon," and expressed their support for Israel's security.
United Nations Secretary -General Antonio Guterres described the US air strikes as a dangerous escalation, while the European Union's foreign policy official, Kaya Callas, urged all parties to retreat and return to the negotiating table.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its "great concern", while the Sultanate of Oman condemned the strikes and called for a reduction in escalation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he had spoken to Iranian President Masoud Bizchitan, and called for "dialogue and diplomacy as a way to move forward."
"Trump, who came as president as a peacemaker, started a new war for the United States," said Russian politician Dimitri Medvedev, President of President Vladimir Putin.
"With this type of success, Trump will not win the Nobel Peace Prize," he adds.
How did the last conflict began?
Israel launched a sudden attack on dozens of Iranian nuclear and military targets, on June 13. She said that her ambition is to dismantle the Tehran nuclear program, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would be able to produce a nuclear bomb.
Iran insists that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. In response, Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and aircraft driving on Israel. The two countries have continued to exchange strikes since then, in an aerial war that lasted for more than a week.
Trump has always stated that he opposes Iran's possession of a nuclear weapon. It is widely believed that Israel possesses it, although it does not confirm this and does not deny it.
In March, Toulcy Gabbard, Director of the US National Intelligence, stated that despite Iran's increase in its uranium stock to unprecedented levels, it does not make a nuclear weapon - a review that Trump recently described as "wrong."
During his campaign, Trump criticized the previous US administrations for its involvement in "endless stupid wars" in the Middle East, and pledged to remove the United States from external conflicts.
The United States and Iran were holding nuclear talks at the time of the sudden Israeli attack. Just two days before the American attack, Trump stated that he would give Iran two weeks to enter into serious negotiations before a military strike, but it turned out to be much shorter.
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