US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday evening that the United States has launched accurate airstrikes on Iran’s three most important nuclear features – Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.Trump posted on the truth social, “All the aircraft are now out of Iran Air Space.” “A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. There is not another army in the world that could do it. Now is the time of peace!”
What do we know about targeted sites:
Natanz
Natanz facility, located about 220 km in the south -east of Tehran, is the center of Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. It was killed before the latest round of the attacks before the Israeli air strikes. According to the United Nations Atomic Sentinel, uranium in Natanz was enriched with 60% purity-a level close to thethiyar-grade. Israel destroyed the above ground parts of the convenience, and further damage was explained underground where powerful centrifugs were located. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes that most of these machines were evacuated when the power supply was cut during the attack.IAEA confirmed that no radioactive contamination remained within the site and spread to the nearby areas. Iran had also started building new sections, near a nearby mountain called Koh-e-Koang Gaz La (Picax Mountain), to better mold its operation. Over the years, Natanz has faced several attacks, including the infamous Stuxnet virus – a Cyberweepon believed that it is created by the US and Israel – and other airstrikes associated with Israel.
Fordow
Another enrichment facility, Fordow, is about 100 km south -west from Tehran. While Natanz is not as big as it is not, it is considered very difficult to strike because it is built under a mountain and protected by anti-aircraft systems. Iran kept the site secret till 2009, when Western Intelligence discovered it and exposed its existence. It has advanced centrifugas that work together to enrich uranium.Because it is so deeply buried, only highly specific bombs, such as America-made GBU-57 “bunker buster,” can possibly destroy it. These bombs are largely-about 30,000 pounds weighing-and only by the US B-2 Spirit stealth bombers can be operated by the US Air Force. This means that any serious attack on Fordo will possibly require American participation.
Isfahan
The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center is located about 350 km south -east from Tehran and is known for being Iran’s major nuclear research center. It employs thousands of scientists and includes three research reactors supplied by China. Along with the reactors, the site includes laboratories and a uranium conversion feature, which plays an important role in the early stages of nuclear fuel production.Israel has attacked parts of the Isfahan site, including the conversion plant. However, IAEA has confirmed that there has been no increase in radiation levels after the attacks, showing that the attacks have not created the cause of nuclear leakage.
Other sites did not happen
While Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan were killed, several other parts of Iran’s nuclear program have not been targeted by recent air strikes. The most notable Bushahar is a nuclear power plant, located with the Persian Gulf, which is about 750 km south of Tehran. This feature is used for civil energy and fuel by uranium from Russia. It lives under IAEA supervision.Another important site is Arak Heavy Water Reactor, located in the south -west of Tehran. Although it has the ability to produce plutonium – Iran agreed to re -design it under the 2015 nuclear deal to reduce international concerns – Iran used to reduce international concerns. Finally, the Tehran Research Reactor, was placed within the nuclear power organization of the headquarters of Iran, required highly rich uranium once. Since then it has been revised to use low-rich uranium as a non-exercise measure.
Background for growth
The US air strikes closely follow the heels of Israel’s offensive, dubbed operations Rising Lion on the heels of Iran’s objective of disrupting Iran’s nuclear program. Iran responded earlier this week with its own anti -counterparts.
Iran’s nuclear history
In 1957, Iran’s nuclear journey focused on peaceful energy development with the help of the US under Shah’s rule. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the relationship became sour and the US support ended. Despite being a signator for the United Nations’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)-which restrictions the development of nuclear weapons-Iran’s intentions have long been a matter of global doubt.Now, with attacks on its nuclear heartground, the area stands at a dangerous intersection – a broad war hanging in the possibility or balance of diplomacy.
