Space-Based Images Depict Iran's Naval Forces and Atomic Facilities Struck by Joint US and Israeli Strikes.
A series of joint airstrikes has allegedly destroyed or damaged no fewer than 11 Iranian naval vessels starting the weekend, recently obtained satellite images show, with rocket sites and enrichment plants also coming under fire.
Images of the southern Konarak naval base and the Bandar Abbas port installation, which is located on the Strait of Hormuz and houses the main command of the Iranian navy, reveal black smoke pouring from several ships on the start of the week.
Maritime Assets Sustained Significant Damage
Among the ships sunk was the Makran, the country's most sizable ship which had been used as a drone carrier. Aerial imagery showed thick smoke rising from the ship which had been stationed at the Bandar Abbas base.
Analytical assessments indicate that at least a quintet of warships at Bandar Abbas were "hit or sunk". Imagery of the south end of the port show plumes ascending from the Makran, while another pair of ships appear to be damaged, with one visibly ablaze.
At Konarak, photos show several damaged ships, with intelligence reports pointing to damage to six ships. Photos from the start of the week also indicate that several buildings at the base have been destroyed.
"For a long time the Iran's leadership has harassed commercial vessels," an American commander stated. "Now, there is not one Iranian ship at sea in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz or Gulf of Oman, and we will not stop."
A number of ships allegedly sunk may have been obscured in aerial photos by haze or plumes, or struck at sea, and have yet to be fully confirmed. Separate reports indicated that one Iranian ship was sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka's territorial waters, prompting a search and rescue mission.
Rocket Sites and Nuclear Locations Attacked
Neutralizing Iran's rocket sites and the hindering of nuclear weapons development were stated as additional objectives of the air campaign. Satellite images also revealed impacts against the southerly Khorgu base and north-western Tabriz missile missile bases, and at the Konarak air base, where weapons bunkers and bunkers were struck.
Over at the Choqa Balk-e drone unmanned aircraft site west of the city of Kermanshah, widespread destruction was seen to warehouses, bunkers and UAV launching apparatus.
Impact was also noted at a radar installation at the Zahedan airbase military airport in eastern parts of the country, near the frontier with neighboring nations.
Significantly, the most recent series of strikes have apparently hit installations at Natanz – long said to be at the center of Iran's nuclear programme. A global monitoring agency said that the affected buildings were used for entry to the facility's underground enrichment facility and that "no release of radioactive material" was anticipated.
Wider Impact and Analysis
Observers indicated that the attacks appeared to have "greatly reduced" the Iran's naval ability to sustain standard operations using its biggest vessels. But, it was noted that Iran maintains the option to launch asymmetric warfare at sea through the use of drones, mini-submarines and its so-called "ghost fleet" of tankers.
The total extent of the damage caused to Iran's defense infrastructure is still uncertain, with strikes reportedly ongoing. Imagery also indicates considerable destruction to the main offices of the Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the capital Tehran.
A large number of non-military structures also are reported to have been damaged in the capital city and throughout Iran since the hostilities escalated. Toll estimates from local officials state that a high number of civilians may have been fatally injured in the attacks.
With the conflict ongoing, monitoring of aerial photographs will carry on to assess the changing military landscape.
