Iran confirms damage only to above-ground areas at Fordow nuclear site

An Iranian official has said that only the above-ground part of the Fordow nuclear facility in Qom Province was damaged by the U.S. military strike.

Mohammad Manan Raisi, a member of the Iranian parliament representing Qom, stated on Sunday that contrary to U.S. President Donald Trump's claims, the Fordow nuclear facility was not seriously damaged, and most of what was damaged was only on the ground, which can be restored, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Raisi said that "all items that may pose a threat to nearby residents" in the facility had long been cleared, and there were no reports of nuclear radiation.

He emphasized that Iran regards the U.S. attack as a manifestation of the country's direct involvement in the war, and now is "the time for Iran to decide when and how to respond to the U.S."