New Satellite photos reveal that Iran has begun removing critical cooling equipment from its Natanz uranium enrichment facility after U.S. airstrikes in late June damaged the site’s power systems and forced operations offline.
The images, posted on X by David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington think tank, show the relocation of nearly two dozen large chillers once used to regulate centrifuge operations.
Newsweek has reached out the U.S. State Department and Iran’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The dispersal of equipment underscores Iran’s immediate effort to shield its nuclear program from further attacks. The U.S. strikes—carried out at the end of the 12-day Iran–Israel war—were hailed by President Donald Trump as a “spectacular military success,” although U.S. intelligence later said the bombing would set back Iran’s program by up to two years, rather than indefinitely.
With Natanz still without external power and centrifuges idle, the relocation of chillers signals Tehran’s determination to preserve enrichment capability, a step that could harden its bargaining position and increase the risk of renewed confrontation across the Middle East.
What To Know
Albright’s satellite imagery showed that 19 of the 24 chillers previously housed in two heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) buildings at Natanz had been moved to locations across the site—including helicopter pads and near water facilities—to make them harder to target.
He wrote: “The removal and dispersal appears to be a tactic to make the chillers less vulnerable to future aerial bombardment.”
Albright said Natanz still lacked external power and centrifuge cascades remained offline. He interpreted the chiller relocation as a clear move by Iran to protect essential hardware during the downtime and amid anticipated threats.
Recent satellite imagery of the Natanz enrichment plant shows that Iran has in the last week removed and dispersed nearly all of the "chillers" from the two HVAC buildings at the Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Nineteen out of 24 chillers in total have been dispersed throughout… pic.twitter.com/V6lYYAl6Jb
— David Albright (@DAVIDHALBRIGHT1) September 2, 2025
Scope of U.S. Bombing
The U.S. bombing campaign struck three nuclear sites: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. While imagery confirmed significant surface destruction, particularly at Natanz, U.S. intelligence assessments circulated after the fact determined that underground sections of the Fordow site had not been destroyed.
The Pentagon concluded that Iran’s nuclear program was set back by several months, but not eliminated, contradicting Trump’s assertion that the program had been “obliterated.”
Diplomatic Reactions
Tehran has sought to counter pressure internationally. Alongside Russia and China, Iran issued a joint letter denouncing European efforts to reimpose United Nations snapback sanctions. On X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the European move as illegal and politically destructive, emphasizing that the U.S. was the first to breach the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) under Trump.
Urainum Enrichment
Iran has long exceeded the uranium production limits set under the JCPOA, citing Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement as justification, while maintaining that its nuclear program is intended solely for civilian purposes.
With the deal set to expire in October, the snapback mechanism could reinstate sanctions that had been lifted. Following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in mid-June, Iran and Britain, France and Germany (E3) held talks in Geneva aimed at a new agreement, but the E3 concluded that Iran had not shown sufficient readiness to reach a deal.
What People Are Saying
David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security: “The movement of this equipment shows Iran appears worried about a new attack destroying even more centrifuge–related equipment.”
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister: “Our joint letter with my colleagues, the foreign ministers of China and Russia, signed in Tianjin, reflects the firm position that the European attempt to invoke snapback is legally baseless and politically destructive”
What Happens Next
Natanz remains without power, centrifuges are inactive, and chillers essential to enrichment have been scattered across the facility. Whether the U.S. or Israel decides to strike again will determine if Iran can reconstitute its nuclear program or if the latest confrontation escalates into a broader conflict.