Iran Nuclear Facility: This nuclear site of Iran is no less than a mysterious cave, how will the US blow it up?

Iran Nuclear Facility: The growing tension between Iran and Israel has once again turned the world's attention towards Iran's most secure and mysterious nuclear site - Fordo Enrichment Facility. The concerns of the US, Israel and Western countries are increasing regarding this secret location. Recently, the US has not ruled out the possibility of a direct military attack here, while John Sawers, former head of Britain's intelligence agency MI6, has recommended destroying it.

Nuclear secret hidden under the mountain

Fordo Nuclear Site is Iran's second largest uranium enrichment facility, located under a hill 32 kilometers from the city of Qom and about 95 kilometers from Tehran. Its specialty is that it is built at a depth of 80 meters, due to which it is considered almost impossible to destroy it with ordinary bombs. Its construction began secretly in 2006, and there was international criticism when its information came to light in 2009.

Why is Israel's eyes fixed on Fordo?

Israel has long considered Iran's nuclear program to be the biggest threat to its existence. Centers like Fordo and Natanz are at the top of its targets. Earlier, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was deployed to protect this site and it was secured by an air defense system equipped with Russian technology. But according to recent reports, this security system has been weakened due to Israeli cyber and air attacks, leaving Fordo more exposed.

Can America destroy Fordo?

Given the depth of Fordo, experts believe that only America has the strong weapon system that can destroy this site. Its name is GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator - a 13,000 kg bunker buster bomb, which can rip apart rocks. In comparison, Israel's GBU-28 bombs are effective only up to a depth of 6 meters, which is not enough for Fordo.

However, the US administration is also skeptical about this option. In a statement to Axios, an official said that the possibility of using this bomb was discussed during the Trump administration, but it has never been used in war. That is, if this bomb fails to hit its target, then America may have to face a long and uncertain war.

Uranium enrichment or weapon manufacturing?

In the early years, uranium was enriched at Fordo only up to 5% purity. But in 2019, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced to fill uranium gas there again. Now, according to the International Atomic Agency IAEA, uranium is being produced at Fordo up to 60% purity, which is very close to 90% weapons-grade uranium.

This site has a stock of advanced IR-6 centrifuges and uranium hexafluoride gas, from which Iran can prepare nuclear weapons-worthy fuel in a few days.