NASA Detects Intense Heat Signature Near Iranian Nuclear Site after US Strike

NASA detected a significant thermal anomaly near Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility just minutes before the U.S. announced a targeted military strike on the site, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

According to the report, the infrared monitoring system registered a strong heat emission in the vicinity of Fordow approximately 30 minutes before former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

The system, which routinely identifies heat signatures associated with large-scale fires, explosions, or industrial incidents, had reportedly not recorded any comparable activity in the Fordow area during the previous month.

Infrared Clues Before Confirmation

While the system can occasionally detect natural wildfires or industrial heat emissions, experts noted that this particular signal coincided unusually with a major military event.

“This kind of spike is often consistent with the thermal profile of missile strikes or high-impact explosive events,” a satellite imagery analyst told the Times.

The Fordow site is one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities, located deep underground and often monitored by international agencies, including the IAEA.

Coordinated Strikes Across Iran

The thermal detection preceded the U.S. government's formal announcement that its air force had carried out precision strikes on three major nuclear sites in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

In a televised address shortly after the operation, Trump stated that the objective of the strike was to “eliminate Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and neutralize future nuclear threats.” He urged Iran to “choose peace,” warning that further attacks could follow if Tehran does not de-escalate.

Satellite Intelligence in Modern Warfare

This event underscores the growing role of space-based monitoring in modern conflict analysis. Satellite heat mapping and infrared sensors have become essential tools not only for environmental observation but also for tracking real-time military activity in remote or restricted regions.

NASA has not issued an official comment on the detection, though the data, which is publicly accessible in some formats, has sparked interest among independent analysts and conflict monitoring organizations.