The release of high-resolution satellite images reveals extensive damage to Iran's military and nuclear sites, including missile infrastructure and naval bases.
New Delhi, India Jul 3, 2026 ALN: The extent of damage to some of Iran's military and nuclear sites has been revealed for the first time after more than a quarter of a million previously restricted high-resolution satellite images were released.
A leading satellite imagery provider, Planet Labs, restored access to images from nearly 800 locations in Iran which they had chosen to restrict following a request from the US government. This decision to limit access was made in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly involving Iran's nuclear program and its military capabilities.
BBC Verify analyzed satellite imagery from two key locations - Esfahan and Bushehr - captured since restrictions began on 9 March. The release of these images marks a significant turning point in the ability of analysts and the public to assess the damage inflicted on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure amidst ongoing conflicts.
The images show a variety of targets hit from ammunition storage areas to ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear and surface-to-air missile sites, and naval bases, according to military intelligence company Janes. The ability to visualize these impacts through satellite imagery provides critical insights into the scale and nature of military operations conducted in the region.
Verified videos have previously shown these locations were subject to US-Israeli strikes but these newly available images provide an insight into the specific targets of the attacks and the extent of the damage. This kind of analysis is essential for understanding the broader implications of military actions in the region, particularly as they relate to international security and the balance of power.
Several sites around the coastal city of Bushehr have been damaged or completely destroyed since 9 March, images show. Bushehr is known for housing Iran's first nuclear power plant, which has been a focal point of international scrutiny due to concerns over nuclear proliferation.
Military buildings and government facilities including aircraft hangars, ammunition storage, dockyards, piers, and missile launch sites have been visibly damaged, according to Janes, with the affected sites belonging to both the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a key military and political institution in Iran, and its involvement in regional conflicts has often drawn international condemnation.
Many buildings have caved-in roofs and some appear completely flattened. Other images show destroyed aircraft and sunken ships. Craters can also be seen on multiple runways, including at Bushehr International Airport - some of which have since been repaired. This indicates not only the scale of the attacks but also the potential disruption to civilian and military air operations in the region.
In some areas - designated as "military" on online maps like OpenStreetMaps - nearly every single building has been destroyed. This level of destruction raises significant questions about the future military capabilities of Iran and the potential for retaliation or further conflict in the region.
The damage seen correlates with the US and Israeli reports of a wide-ranging strike campaign, not only designed to engage standing forces, but degrade the infrastructure behind them, Janes Middle East defense specialist Jeremy Binnie said. This strategy reflects a broader military doctrine that seeks to incapacitate an adversary's ability to wage war by targeting not just combatants, but the logistical and operational frameworks that support them.
Construction and repair sheds at a naval dockyard have also been damaged, according to Janes analysis. The implications of this damage extend beyond immediate military capabilities; they could hinder Iran's long-term maritime operations and its ability to project power in the Persian Gulf.
Images of the province of Esfahan, which is home to two nuclear facilities - in the city of Esfahan and Natanz - reveal the extent of damage to military infrastructure. The Natanz facility has been particularly controversial, as it is central to Iran's uranium enrichment efforts, which many nations believe could lead to the development of nuclear weapons.
At military bases in the region, damage to buildings is clearly visible. Buildings - identified by Janes as an ammunition storage area for an airbase - have been damaged at the strategically important Shekari 8 Iranian airbase. This airbase is critical for Iran's air defense and offensive capabilities.
More than 60 structures have been severely damaged or destroyed at a military base in the south of the city. Another dozen were hit at another base further south in the region, near the town of Baharestan. The concentration of strikes in these areas suggests a tactical focus on crippling Iran's military readiness and its ability to respond to potential threats.
The controversial decision to restrict access to images has limited how journalists, humanitarian groups, and analysts assess the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran, including damage to military targets and civilian infrastructure. The lack of transparency surrounding military operations can lead to misinformation and speculation, complicating international diplomatic efforts to address the situation.
Restrictions still remain in place for Planet's imagery across most of the Middle East including Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza. This ongoing limitation underscores the delicate balance between national security interests and the public's right to information, particularly in conflict zones where humanitarian implications are significant.
The California-based company said that a "delay remains in place over other parts of the region and we will continue with managed distribution for those areas in accordance with ongoing national security and personnel safety concerns." The implications of these restrictions are profound, as they inhibit comprehensive assessments of military and civilian impacts, potentially leading to a lack of accountability for actions taken during the conflict.
In the absence of Planet's services, its clients - such as the BBC and the New York Times - have been turning to non-US based solutions. This shift may lead to a diversification of sources and perspectives in reporting on the region, but it also poses challenges in terms of reliability and consistency of information, particularly in a context where accurate data is crucial for informed public discourse and policymaking.
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