In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility and six military airports across the country on Monday, June 23, just a day after similar strikes by the United States. The Fordow site, located south of Tehran, is a key uranium enrichment facility, and though Iranian officials have downplayed the damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that the site could have suffered “very significant damage” due to the sensitive nature of the centrifuges. The Qom Provincial Crisis Management authorities assured the public that there is no threat to civilians, stating the US strike earlier caused minimal destruction.
Alongside the Fordow strike, Israel targeted Evin Prison in Tehran, reportedly damaging parts of the facility. The Judiciary Media Centre confirmed that while the prison’s situation is under control, the attack has been termed a clear violation of international law. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the simultaneous strikes on six Iranian airports were aimed at disabling critical air force infrastructure. The IDF claimed destruction of runways, underground hangars, and several fighter aircraft including F-14s and F-5s, which were allegedly intended for use against Israeli operations. These attacks, they said, were strategically planned to cripple Iran’s aerial response capabilities.
The recent wave of hostilities stems from earlier Israeli strikes on June 13, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military installations, prompting a retaliatory stance from Tehran. On June 22, the US followed with precision strikes on key sites such as Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, deploying stealth bombers in a coordinated effort to damage Iran’s nuclear program. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi noted that while full damage assessments are pending due to the site’s underground complexity, the nature of the attacks suggests catastrophic impact. As tensions between Iran and the West intensify, fears of a broader conflict in the region continue to grow.
