Inside Israel’s most extensive strikes yet on Iran

What satellite images reveal about the bombing of nuclear and military infrastructure and the potential risk of nuclear leaks

A satellite image appears to show damage to a warehouse at Bid Kaneh military site in Iran. Photo: Maxar Technologies

New satellite imagery has revealed the scale of destruction from Israel’s latest wave of air strikes on Iran, with some of the country’s most sensitive nuclear and missile factories hit. Our analysis shows that at least two of Iran’s five key nuclear sites suffered significant damage, raising concerns about the potential risk of contamination.

So, what exactly was struck, and is there a risk of a nuclear leak?

Since the attacks directly on nuclear energy sites, UN watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of a risk of radiological or chemical contamination due to the attacks.

However, radiation levels outside the factories currently remain within normal limits, and no leak has been detected.

Although the strikes primarily focused on military and nuclear infrastructure, the civilian toll is rising. Iran’s Health Ministry has confirmed that at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,200 injured in the wave of Israeli attacks, figures that underline the human cost beyond military or energy targets.

Natanz nuclear enrichment plant

One of the most heavily struck sites was Natanz, a factory at the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. Satellite images captured on June 14 show damage to at least five structures at the complex, where thousands of centrifuges are housed. These centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, a key material for civilian nuclear energy but also a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons.

Before and after images show at least five damaged structures. Satellite footage from June 14 reveals direct hits to areas previously containing advanced centrifuges. Plumes of black smoke seen in social media videos on June 13 corroborate the timing and severity of the strike.

Social media footage showing black smoke coming from the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex in Isfahan province, Iran

Over the past three years, Natanz has been the site where Iran has produced most of its enriched uranium stockpile, including quantities enriched to near weapons-grade levels. This has brought the country significantly closer to the technical threshold required to build a nuclear weapon, according to western intelligence assessments.

The IAEA has since confirmed “direct impacts” on underground enrichment halls is a significant development. Although radiation levels remain normal, UN inspectors have raised concerns about potential chemical or radiological contamination within the complex.

Social media footage purports to show an explosion and smoke plumes from the Natanz nuclear enrichment complex in Isfahan, Iran. AP / IRIB

North Tabriz military site

The Tabriz complex in north-western Iran is believed to be the country’s second-largest major missile base with underground silos. Its location suggests that parts of eastern and central Europe could be within range of missiles launched from the site. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the base appears to house mobile launchers for Shahab-1, Shahab-2 and possibly Shahab-3 ballistic missiles. Also believed to be present are two reinforced silos, thought to contain Shahab-2 or Shahab-3 missiles. The surrounding mountainous terrain and hardened structures are designed to protect the missiles in the event of an attack. Israeli sources estimate the launch area covers about 50,000 square kilometres.

The nearby Tabriz International Airport was also struck by Israel, with images showing significant damage to runways.

Kermanshah: IRGC tunnel complex hit

Another set of newly published satellite images shows extensive damage to another missile base run by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near the western province of Kermanshah. A close-up from the base shows damage to the entrance, believed to lead to an underground missiles storage centre.

A close-up view of damaged tunnel entrances at Kermanshah, western Iran. Photo: Planet Labs PBC

The full impact on Iran's military is yet to be determined, but the latest images strongly suggest that Israel's strikes have been successful in hindering at least part of Tehran's missile capability.

Storage warehouse

Not all targets are known military sites or nuclear factories. Social media footage geolocated by The National shows a huge explosion at a named warehouse located north of Shahin Shahr in Isfahan.

Social media footage posted on June 17 shows an explosion at a warehouse north of Shahin Shahr in Isfahan

The warehouse north of Shahin Shahr, Isfahan

Centrifuges the target

The IAEA has confirmed Israel hit the Natanz's underground centrifuge halls and two other centrifuge production factories.

But what is the significance, and why are centrifuges an essential component of nuclear energy?

On June 9, the Institute for Science and International Security published a study summarising information in the IAEA's quarterly report.

The document stated that as of May 17, Iran had more than 14,500 advanced centrifuges installed at the Natanz and Fordow fuel enrichment plants. It said Iran was undertaking “the near-final step” of breaking out from the restrictions of the 2015 nuclear agreement, converting its 20 per cent stock of enriched uranium into 60 per cent enriched uranium at a greatly expanded rate.

Although Israel appears to have successfully degraded Iran’s ability to rapidly scale up a nuclear breakout or missile use in the short term, such losses do not appear irrecoverable. Iran has demonstrated resilience and redundancy over the decades across its nuclear infrastructure, often dispersing key assets and maintaining deep underground factories specifically to survive such attacks.

The IAEA has called for calm and access to inspect affected sites. For now, satellite imagery remains one of the few reliable ways to track the scale and precision of these strikes. The picture that’s emerging is clear: Israel has delivered a major tactical blow to Iran’s infrastructure, but the long-term consequences, both strategic and environmental, are not yet known.