U.S. and Israeli Strikes Damage Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Airstrikes conducted by the United States and Israel throughout 2025 and 2026 caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The attacks targeted the Natanz facility, the Isfahan complex, and the Fordo plant, with the latter potentially rendered inoperable by massive bombs dropped in June 2025.

Donald Trump claimed his administration "obliterated" the nuclear program. However, U.N. inspectors and analysts report that the program remains viable. Iran likely retains a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent near Isfahan, which experts say is sufficient for nine or 10 atomic bombs.

The International Atomic Energy Agency notes that while the strikes rolled back the program significantly, Iran could rapidly enrich existing stockpiles to weapons-grade if monitoring is not restored. Some analysts suggest Iran could produce a bomb in less than a year if left alone.