Iran Builds New Access Road at Fordow Nuclear Site After US Strikes

Satellite images reveal Iran has built a new access road and moved construction equipment to its Fordow uranium enrichment site, potentially assessing damage from last month's US airstrike. The imagery shows a new road, excavator, and mobile crane at the site.

New satellite imagery has revealed ongoing activity and significant damage at Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment site following recent US airstrikes. The images, collected by Maxar Technologies, show an excavator and a mobile crane positioned at the site, along with a newly constructed access road. These developments suggest that Iran is assessing and potentially repairing the damage caused by the strikes [2].

The imagery, taken on June 29, 2025, reveals extensive damage to tunnels and access roads at the Fordow facility, which was targeted by Israeli forces on June 23 and by the US on June 22. The strikes, aimed at hindering Iran's nuclear ambitions, resulted in six prominent craters and a noticeable spread of grey debris [2].

The US and Israel have stated that these military actions were intended to degrade Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. The new satellite images show fresh evidence of significant damage to the site, including destroyed tunnels and repair operations underway [2].

The latest developments come as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, warned that Iran could begin enriching uranium again within a matter of months, despite the damage to its nuclear facilities. Grossi's comments cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's assertions that Iran's nuclear program had been set back by decades [1].

The US and Israel have stated that their strikes were aimed at hindering Iran's nuclear capabilities, but the new satellite images suggest that Iran is still assessing and repairing the damage. The imagery also shows a new access road being constructed, which could potentially facilitate further repairs and operations at the site [2].

The ongoing activity at the Fordow site raises questions about the effectiveness of the recent airstrikes and the extent to which Iran's nuclear program has been set back. The IAEA has called for clarification on the location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which is estimated to be 408.6 kilograms, enriched to 60 per cent purity [1].

References:
[1] https://www.wionews.com/world/-some-still-standing-iaea-chief-rafael-grossi-counters-trump-s-obliterated-nuclear-sites-claim-says-iran-can-resume-uranium-enrichment-in-months-1751161155509
[2] https://www.foxnews.com/world/new-satellite-imagery-shows-ongoing-activity-irans-fordow-nuclear-complex-after-us-airstrikes