US Strikes Fordow Nuclear Site with Massive Ordnance Penetrators

On June 22, 2025, satellite imagery revealed that the United States conducted an airstrike on the Fordow nuclear facility in Iran, deploying six B-2 bombers that dropped twelve GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs). The airstrike resulted in the formation of at least six substantial craters, with one crater estimated to be around six meters in diameter, according to reports from CNN and the Global Times, which featured exclusive pictures obtained from Minospace, a Chinese commercial remote sensing entity.

Following an analysis of the satellite images, experts recognized that the craters varied in size and indicated the concentration of the explosives in two specific target areas within the Fordow site. N.R. Jenzen-Jones, a munitions specialist, explained that the irregular shapes of the craters hinted at multiple munitions striking the same locations, supporting the assessment that the US aimed to penetrate deeply buried sections of the facility effectively.

Military analysts also suggested that the US's strategy may have involved carefully orchestrating the strikes to maximize their impact. By employing bombs with smart or delayed fuses, the explosions could sequentially weaken the surrounding materials before delivering subsequent blasts to target deeper layers, which explains the observed structural collapses near the struck areas. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed the visibility of craters at the Fordow site, emphasizing concerns over the potential damage to sensitive equipment used for uranium enrichment.

Despite the severity of the airstrikes, Grossi stated that neither the IAEA nor any other entity has fully assessed the underground damage. Furthermore, the US military's initial assessments indicate that all three targeted facilities suffered serious destruction; however, it remains unclear whether Iran's nuclear program has been fundamentally crippled. Experts noted that prior to the airstrike, Iran may have taken measures to relocate crucial assets, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the US strikes.

In reactions to the attacks, China's Foreign Ministry condemned the airstrikes, arguing that targeting nuclear sites under IAEA oversight violates international law and urging all parties involved to seek diplomatic resolutions to the conflict.