US EditionBuilt inside a mountain and hardened against bunker-busting bombs. Here’s what we know about Iran’s Fordow nuclear site
- Israel's military has been bombing Iran's nuclear facilities for days, focusing on the deeply buried Fordow enrichment plant near Qom.
- These strikes follow escalating tensions after the 2015 Iran nuclear deal collapsed and President Trump is weighing whether to join attacks on Fordow.
- Fordow is approximately 80 meters underground and reinforced with hard concrete, making it resistant to conventional bunker-buster bombs like the GBU-28.
- The US GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator weighs about 30,000 pounds and can penetrate 18 meters of concrete, but may not fully destroy Fordow without risking escalation.
- While Israel’s strikes create an opportunity to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, options carry escalation risks and most international actors prefer returning to diplomacy.
80 Articles
80 Articles
What is Fordow, the underground nuclear site that only a US bomb can destroy
Description: Israel strikes Fordow: Israel strikes Fordow: With about 2,000 operational centrifuges, the enrichment facility produces uranium enriched to 60 per cent — a small step away from weapons-grade 90 per cent enrichment — making it a cause of concern for Israel.
Israel lacks war equipment to wipe out the Iranian nuclear plant in Fordo. However, the US military has an effective aircraft-bomb combination.
How might Israel attack Iran’s underground nuclear plant? A 2024 raid in Syria could be a template
Operation rising lion has been a concerted effort by the Israel Defense Forces to degrade Iran’s nuclear programme. Launched on June 13, the operation has targeted key nuclear installations, logistical hubs and Iranian nuclear scientists, key intelligence and military personal. Israel has justified the attack by claiming that Iran was on a verge of a “breakout” in its nuclear programme. This means it would be able to break out of its commitments…
A possible US war entry into Iran is currently causing speculation. According to reports, a military strike could follow in the next few days – most likely on the underground nuclear plant Fordo. Those who would lead the air strikes are already certain. US President Donald Trump has not yet officially decided whether the United States military is going to go to war alongside Israel. "No one knows what I will do," he said on Wednesday. "(Israel, …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
