US EditionBuilt inside a mountain and hardened against bunker-busting bombs. Here’s what we know about Iran’s Fordow nuclear site
IRAN, JUN 20 – Only the US has the 13,600-kilogram GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb capable of penetrating Fordow's tunnels, enriched with uranium up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels.
- Israel's military has been bombing Iran's nuclear facilities for days, focusing mainly on the deeply buried Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant near Qom.
- This escalation follows growing concerns about Iran's uranium enrichment and the collapse of diplomatic efforts, with President Trump weighing a possible strike on Fordow.
- Fordow sits about 80 meters underground and is fortified with especially hard concrete, making it resistant to Israel's available bunker-busting bombs like the GBU-28 and BLU-109.
- The U.S. possesses the 13,000kg GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, capable of penetrating deep targets, yet experts say even it might not fully destroy Fordow, potentially requiring multiple strikes or a nuclear option.
- The situation could escalate further or push diplomatic negotiations, as the destruction of Fordow would significantly impact Iran's nuclear capabilities but carries serious risks of regional conflict.
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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…
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