Decoding the 3 Iranian nuclear facilities that were just attacked by the US
Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement on the evening of June 21 (US time) about attacking three key nuclear facilities in Iran, the world’s attention is focused on the role and importance of these locations. Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan are considered the “heart” of Tehran’s nuclear aspirations.
Natanz: The largest uranium enrichment center
The nuclear complex is located about 250 km south of the capital Tehran and is considered Iran's largest uranium enrichment facility.
- Function:Natanz is where Iran develops and assembles centrifuges to enrich uranium – the key technology to turning uranium into nuclear fuel, according to analysts.
- Structure:According to the non-profit Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Natanz has six above-ground buildings and three underground structures, two of which have the capacity to hold up to 50,000 centrifuges.
- Work:According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity at the facility's above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. (The level needed to make a nuclear weapon is 90%).
Fordow: Underground Nuclear Fortress
The full extent and nature of the facility remains shrouded in mystery. Fordow is located near the holy city of Qom and is nestled deep within a mountain range. Much of the information about Fordow comes from Iranian archives captured by Israeli intelligence years ago.
- Structure:Fordow's main halls are estimated to be 80 to 90 meters below ground. According to Israeli officials and independent sources, the United States is the only country that possesses specialized bombs (bunker-busters) powerful enough to strike a target at such depths.
- Work:Recent IAEA reports show that Iran has increased its production of 60% enriched uranium at Fordow, which now has 2,700 centrifuges, according to experts and the IAEA.
Isfahan: The leading nuclear research complex
Isfahan, in central Iran, is home to the country's largest nuclear research complex. It is considered the nerve center of Iran's nuclear science and technology.
- History:The facility was built with Chinese assistance and opened in 1984, according to NTI. About 3,000 scientists work in Isfahan, and the site is “suspected to be the center” of Iran’s nuclear program, according to NTI.
- Ingredient:NTI said Isfahan "operates three small research reactors supplied by China", as well as a "conversion facility, a fuel production plant, a zirconium metallurgy plant and other facilities and laboratories".
