Video Shows Widespread Damage at Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site after U.S. Strikes

A recently surfaced video has revealed extensive damage at Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, days after it was targeted in coordinated Israeli and U.S. military strikes.

The footage appears to show one of the underground chambers of the once-critical site, with several centrifuges destroyed or rendered inoperable.

Hidden in the mountains south of Tehran, the Fordow plant played a central role in Iran’s nuclear enrichment efforts and was long viewed by Israel and the United States as a key strategic threat. It is now confirmed to be largely decommissioned.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, speaking to French radio RFI, said the centrifuges at Fordow are no longer operational. “The three main sites — Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow — have suffered serious physical damage,” Grossi said, confirming that uranium enrichment activities at these locations have been severely hindered.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also verified the destruction of the Fordow facility. “If you want to know what is happening in Fordow, you better go there with a big shovel,” Hegseth said. He emphasized that it may take weeks or months to fully assess the outcome of the strikes.

The conflict began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear-related facilities, claiming Tehran was secretly developing nuclear weapons. Iran denied the accusation and responded with missile attacks.

Iran Demands compensation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused both Israel and the U.S. of orchestrating the attacks. He said Iran holds the U.S. responsible for enabling the Israeli strikes via regional military bases. Tehran is demanding compensation and has stated it is reconsidering its cooperation with the IAEA.

“Iran will suspend inspections and reassess its obligations,” Araghchi said, adding that the attacks had set back the nuclear program significantly.

Iranian nuclear officials are currently evaluating the full extent of the damage. While some sites remain intact, the destruction at Fordow and other facilities marks a critical turning point in Iran’s nuclear development efforts.

The U.S. entered the conflict on June 22 with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow. Iran retaliated the following day by launching missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid base in Qatar.

On June 24, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, ending the 12-day war. However, tensions remain high. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared victory and said the country had “slapped the U.S. in the face.”