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A series of American and Israeli airstrikes has reportedly sunk or crippled at least 11 Iranian naval vessels since the weekend, new aerial photos demonstrate, with missile bases and nuclear sites also being targeted.

Pictures of the southern Konarak naval military port and the Bandar Abbas installation, which is located on the strategic Hormuz Strait and houses the main command of the Iran's naval force, reveal plumes of smoke rising from several vessels on recent days.

Maritime Fleet Sustained Significant Losses

Among the vessels destroyed was the IRINS Makran, Iran's biggest warship which had functioned as a unmanned aerial vehicle platform. Aerial imagery showed thick smoke pouring from the ship which had been docked at the Bandar Abbas base.

Analytical assessments state that no fewer than five vessels at Bandar Abbas were "struck or destroyed". Photos of the southern end of the harbor reveal plumes ascending from the Makran, while two other ships are visibly impacted, with one visibly ablaze.

At the Konarak base, images display several harmed vessels, with expert review pointing to strikes against six vessels. Images from Monday also indicate that several facilities at the installation have been destroyed.

"For many years the Tehran government has harassed international shipping," an American commander stated. "Now, there is not one vessel from Iran at sea in the Persian Gulf, Hormuz Strait or Gulf of Oman, and we will continue."

Some ships allegedly sunk may have been obscured in satellite images by weather conditions or battle damage, or struck at sea, and have not been conclusively proven. Separate reports stated that a ship from Iran was sinking off the coast of Sri Lankan waters, prompting a rescue operation.

Missile Bases and Atomic Locations Hit

The destruction of Iranian missile bases and the prevention of enrichment activities were declared as additional aims of the air campaign. Aerial imagery also showed damage at the southern Khorgu and north-western Tabriz facilities, and at the Konarak air air base, where weapons bunkers and fortifications were hit.

Over at the Choqa Balk-e drone base west of the city of Kermanshah, extensive damage was identified to warehouses, bunkers and unmanned aircraft systems.

Damage was also seen at a radar installation at the Zahedan military airport in eastern Iran, near the border with neighboring nations.

Significantly, the new round of attacks have reportedly targeted facilities at Natanz – long said to be at the heart of Iran's nuclear programme. The UN's atomic energy body stated that the damaged buildings were used for entry to the facility's underground nuclear plant and that "no nuclear fallout" was likely.

Broader Impact and Analysis

Military analysts indicated that the attacks appeared to have "greatly reduced" the Iran's naval ability to sustain traditional warfare using its biggest warships. Nevertheless, it was emphasised that Tehran still has the option to launch irregular strikes at sea through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, midget subs and its so-called "shadow fleet" of oil ships.

The total extent of the destruction caused to Iran's defense infrastructure is still uncertain, with attacks reportedly persisting. Photos also shows widespread damage to the main offices of the the IRGC in the city of Tehran.

Numerous of public facilities also appear to have been hit in the capital and throughout Iran after the hostilities began. Casualty figures from local officials suggest that a high number of civilians may have been lost their lives in the strikes.

As the situation develops, analysis of aerial photographs will continue to track the unfolding military landscape.