Iran begins work at Fordow site after US strikes, satellite images show - WSJ

Iran has built a new access road and deployed construction equipment at its Fordow uranium enrichment facility after last month’s US airstrike, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies.

The report said images captured over the weekend by Maxar Technologies show a newly built road leading up the mountain to the Fordow site, along with several vehicles, including an excavator and a mobile crane.

The Wall Street Journal cited an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) that said the excavator was likely preparing a staging area to lower cameras or personnel into bomb impact points to inspect the damage to the underground facility.

On Monday, ISIS president David Albright said that Maxar’s imagery shows Iran is preparing for downhole inspections at two impact sites, starting with the one where a crane is already positioned.

In a post on X, he said that the terrain at one site is too unstable for normal crane access, and that Iran may need to install a larger crane to reach that area safely.