Satellite tv for pc imagery from Vantor reveals {that a} web site lengthy linked to Iran’s nuclear program has been struck. A trio of very giant influence factors additionally raises the chance that the hardened facility was hit by 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Large Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs. MOPs have been first used operationally in U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear services final yr, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer. The Taleghan 2 web site was newly encased in a concrete shell after which lined with soil within the months main as much as the present battle, which can have created a necessity to make use of munitions extra able to burrowing down into it to have a greater likelihood of making certain its destruction.
Vantor’s post-strike pictures of Taleghan 2, seen on the high of this story and under, have been taken earlier as we speak. As famous, three very giant and exact influence factors are seen on high of the ability.
Satellite tv for pc picture ©2026 Vantor ” loading=”lazy” width=”960″ peak=”540″ decoding=”async” data-nimg=”1″ class=”rounded-lg” model=”coloration:clear” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TFDsGEtIPRqwJIZl5ghC6A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_warzone_735/f1f664c74344c4e28cac5771c7fbf6c2″/>
Satellite tv for pc picture ©2026 Vantor
Vantor additionally shared earlier pictures of Taleghan 2 taken on March 6, 2026, and November 14, 2025. Different components of Parchin have been notably struck on March 6, however Taleghan 2 was left untouched at the moment.
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One other satellite tv for pc picture of Taleghan 2, taken on November 14, 2025, earlier than the location was encased in concrete after which lined with soil. Satellite tv for pc picture ©2026 Vantor
Excessive decision imagery supplied to the Institute by picture @VantorTech reveals vital harm to the strong rocket propellant motor manufacturing services at Parchin. These manufacturing vegetation have been destroyed a number of occasions, first throughout Israeli airstrikes in October 2024, and… pic.twitter.com/FfNk6SczGh
— Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) March 6, 2026
Taleghan 2 had already been lined in a brand new layer of concrete by mid-January of this yr. Soil had additionally been added on high weeks earlier than joint U.S.-Israeli operations started on February 28. Iran was additionally noticed taking steps to additional harden and/or seal up a bunch of different key services throughout the nation within the lead-up to the present battle, however to not this diploma. TWZ highlighted related exercise at Iranian nuclear websites forward of the Operation Midnight Hammer strikes final yr.
Over the past two to 3 weeks, Iran has been busy burying the brand new Taleghan 2 facility on the Parchin army advanced with soil. As soon as the concrete sarcophagus across the facility was hardened, Iran didn’t hesitate to maneuver soil over giant components of the brand new facility. Extra soil… pic.twitter.com/LWSrCnDdfy
— Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) February 17, 2026
We have no idea what munitions have been used to strike Taleghan 2, however the influence factors are at the least broadly in keeping with what was seen at Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear websites after Operation Midnight Hammer. Throughout that operation, B-2 bombers dropped 12 GBU-57/Bs on Fordow and one other two MOPs on Natanz.
When reached by TWZ, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to touch upon whether or not GBU-57/Bs had been dropped on Taleghan 2 or some other web site in Iran in the midst of the present marketing campaign. The one plane at present licensed to hold MOPs operationally is the B-2 bomber, with every one with the ability to carry two of the huge bombs at a time. B-2s have been placing Iran for the reason that first night time of the battle.
From what will be seen through satellite tv for pc imagery, Taleghan 2 does seem like as deeply buried as both Fordow or the underground facility at Natanz. On the similar time, it was very totally and intentionally hardened in opposition to assault simply previously few months, which might have pushed a call to focus on it with GBU-57/Bs. That work was additionally accomplished comparatively shortly with a transparent eye towards shielding the location from strikes.
A B-2 bomber drops GBU-57/B MOP throughout a take a look at. USAF
Different features of the goal could have factored in, as nicely. Within the strikes on Fordow final yr, B-2s dropped six MOPs every down two air shafts to realize the specified penetration. These air vents supplied a weak channel by way of which the bombs might penetrate far deeper to get to the focused chamber deep throughout the mountain. Although it might be shallower, there don’t seem like any related inlets readily seen at Taleghan 2. Utilizing 30,000-pound bombs would even have helped assure extra complete destruction of this high-priority facility. The willpower that MOPs have been required may also clarify why it was not struck beforehand.
The video under is a montage of images from previous GBU-57/B assessments that the U.S. army launched final yr after Operation Midnight Hammer.
It’s potential that different munitions could have been used to strike Taleghan 2. Smaller bunker busters could possibly be dropped in succession on the identical intention level with a view to create openings after which create vital results inside. CENTCOM has beforehand confirmed B-2 strikes on deeply buried targets in Iran utilizing salvos of two,000-pound-class bunker buster bombs.
Final night time, U.S. B-2 stealth bombers, armed with 2,000 lb. bombs, struck Iran’s hardened ballistic missile services. No nation ought to ever doubt America’s resolve. pic.twitter.com/6JpG73lHYW
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
Placing Taleghan 2 in any other case matches with the U.S. army’s acknowledged core goal of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program. The positioning is tied to long-standing allegations of nuclear weapons-related work at Parchin, which Iranian officers have constantly denied. Taleghan 2 is particularly believed to have been a manufacturing facility for specialised typical explosives required for nuclear weapons.
The Israelis beforehand struck Taleghan 2 in 2024 after which focused Parchin once more throughout the 12 Day Battle final yr. In each instances, Iran subsequently rebuilt key services on the advanced.
Whether or not the newest strike on Taleghan 2, no matter munitions could have been used, has taken it out for good stays to be seen.
Contact the writer: joe@twz.com