Fact Check: US air strikes severely damaged Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, not destroyed.

Fact Check: "US air strikes severely damaged Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, not destroyed."

What We Know

On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted air strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordo nuclear site. Reports indicate that the strikes involved the use of advanced munitions, including 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear capabilities (source-1, source-5). According to the U.S. military, the strikes resulted in "extremely severe damage and destruction" at the Natanz facility, while the Fordo and Isfahan sites suffered "major damage" (source-1).

In contrast, Iranian officials claimed that the damage was "quite superficial" and that no irreversible harm had occurred to the facilities (source-1). Satellite images and expert analyses have shown visible damage to the Fordo site, but the extent of this damage remains a subject of debate (source-6).

Analysis

The claim that U.S. air strikes severely damaged the Fordo nuclear facility but did not destroy it is supported by multiple sources. The U.S. military's assessment of "major damage" aligns with the assertion that the facility remains operational, albeit compromised. The use of bunker-buster bombs suggests an intent to inflict significant damage, yet the lack of complete destruction indicates that the facility could potentially be repaired or restored (source-4, source-8).

However, Iranian officials' claims of superficial damage should be approached with caution. State narratives often downplay the impact of military actions against them, and their statements may not reflect the true extent of the damage (source-1). The credibility of the sources reporting on the damage, including satellite imagery and expert analysis, lends weight to the assertion that significant damage occurred, even if it did not amount to total destruction.

Conclusion

The claim that U.S. air strikes severely damaged Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, but did not destroy it, is Partially True. While there is evidence of major damage to the facility, the extent of this damage is contested, with Iranian officials asserting that it was not severe. The U.S. military's assessment indicates significant damage, yet the facility remains intact, supporting the claim's partial validity.

Sources

1. United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Wikipedia
2. World reaction to US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites
3. Alarm grows after the US inserts itself into Israel's war ...
4. What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
5. Here Are the Three Iranian Nuclear Sites the U.S. Attacked
6. What satellite images show of damage to Iran's nuclear sites
7. Trump says Iran's key nuclear sites 'obliterated' by US ...
8. How badly have US strikes damaged Iran's nuclear facilities ... - CNN