According to Telegraph, Most of the highly enriched uranium at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility was reportedly moved to an undisclosed location days before the recent US. airstrikes, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters.
The official said that this precaution was taken in anticipation of an attack on the underground site, which is deeply fortified inside a mountain near Qom.
In addition to relocating uranium stockpiles, personnel numbers at Fordow were significantly reduced ahead of the strikes, likely as a security measure to minimize casualties.
Satellite images from Friday and Saturday showed long queues of trucks at the site, supporting reports of material evacuation.
Fordow is Iran’s second most important uranium enrichment center after Natanz and plays a critical role in enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade purity.
The facility houses thousands of centrifuges and is built underground to withstand military attacks. It has been a key target for Israel and the United States, both of which aim to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons program.
On June 21, 2025, the US. launched airstrikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2 stealth bombers dropping massive bunker-buster bombs and Navy submarines firing Tomahawk cruise missiles.
President Donald Trump called the operation a “military success” and confirmed that all aircraft had safely returned to base.
Despite the damage inflicted, Iran maintains that its nuclear program will continue and has threatened retaliation.
The evacuation of enriched uranium ahead of the strikes suggests Tehran anticipated the attack and took steps to protect its most valuable nuclear materials.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in the conflict, with the U.S. and Israel intensifying efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid rising regional tensions.
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