Before and after photos show key differences of Iran’s nuclear sites after US bombing as expert explains the impact

Satellite images taken before and after the US dropped bombs on Iran reveal the differences at the three nuclear sites targeted in Donald Trump's attack.

The POTUS announced news of the US' attack against Iran on June 21, revealing the country had targeted three nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Trump's involvement in the conflict came after Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites earlier this month, prompting Iran to fire back with a barrage of missiles. The initial attacks and ongoing retaliation are believed to have killed almost 1,000 people in total so far.

When he announced the strikes, Trump said a 'full payload of bombs' was dropped on Fordow, which was described as the 'primary site'.

In a later post on Truth Social, the president added: "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!"

Donald Trump described the attack on Iran as 'successful' (Carlos Barria - Pool/Getty Images)

Fordow

The Fordow nuclear site appears unimposing in satellite images caught by Maxar Technologies on June 20, but major parts of the site are believed to be buried deep inside the surrounding mountain, making it more difficult to attack.

Inside, the facility housed centrifuges used for enriching Iran's uranium; a material which is suspected by Israel to be destined for a nuclear weapon.

According to CNN, the main halls of the site are believed to be some 80 to 90 meters (262 to 295 feet) below ground.

Images captured prior to the attack show roads surrounding the facility and leading to a white building, which appears largely unaffected in the 'after' photos caught on June 22.

Before

The landscape at Fordow appeared largely untouched before the attacks (Maxar Technologies)

However, the US is believed to have used bombs which could burrow into the Earth in order to attack the site, with the 'after' images showing damage and grey ash on the landscape as the bombs resulted in at least six craters.

David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, told CNN that the images suggested 'a considerable amount of damage' to the site, particularly to the 'enrichment hall and adjacent halls that provide support to enrichment'.

“Total destruction of the underground hall is quite possible,” Albright added.

After

Ash can be seen covering the landscape in photos captured on June 22 (Maxar Technologies)

N.R. Jenzen-Jones, a munitions specialist and director of the research company Armament Research Services (ARES), told the outlet that 'larger, central entry holes' visible in the satellite images are 'consistent with the theory of an attack on such a deeply buried target as the Fordow site'.

Natanz

The US' attack on Natanz comes after Israel previously targeted the site when it launched an attack on Iran on June 13.

Unlike Fordow, Natanz has multiple above-ground buildings as well as three underground structures, and it was these visible buildings that were damaged in Israel's initial attack.

Now, images captured by Maxar Technologies show dark spots which appear to be craters caused by US bombs have also appeared at the site. The spots are believed to be located above parts of the underground complex.

Craters can be seen at the Natanz site in images captured by Maxar's satellites (Maxar Technologies)

Isfahan

Located in central Iran, Isfahan is Iran's largest nuclear research complex and has been open since 1984.

Satellite images captured on June 16 show a large complex made up of multiple buildings, but in the wake of Trump's attack, images show the area to be covered in ash or rubble, with many buildings damaged or completely destroyed.

Before

Isfahan's complex was made up of multiple buildings (Maxar Technologies)

On June 22, the Institute for Science and International Security published an assessment which confirmed the site had been 'heavily damaged'.

The institute referred to satellite images which indicated tunnel entrances at the site had been filled with soil, saying: “This is likely a precautionary measure to contain an explosion or prevent the dispersion of hazardous material from exiting the facility.”

After

Multiple buildings were damaged or completely destroyed in the attack (Maxar Technologies)

The institute also confirmed damage to Isfahan's main uranium conversion facility, which converts natural uranium into the type entered into gas centrifuges.

Albright told CNN that strikes against areas storing enriched uranium could be an indicator that the US was trying to destroy Iran's stocks. To make it weapons-grade, uranium is enriched to 90 percent.