Can Israel really destroy Iran's underground fortress?
Share
1 Answer
You must login to add an answer.
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
You must login to add an answer.
English 
العربية
While Israel has expressed its intent to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, the complete destruction of Iran's most heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, is widely believed to be beyond Israel's current independent capabilities. Here's why: * FRead more
While Israel has expressed its intent to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, the complete destruction of Iran’s most heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, is widely believed to be beyond Israel’s current independent capabilities.
See lessHere’s why:
* Fordow’s Depth and Hardening: The Fordow facility is buried deep within a mountain, reportedly 80-90 meters (260-300 feet) underground, and is heavily reinforced. This makes it extremely difficult to penetrate with conventional weaponry.
* “Bunker Buster” Limitations: While Israel possesses some “bunker buster” bombs (like the GBU-28 and BLU-109), these have a shallower penetration range and are not considered powerful enough to reach Fordow’s deepest sections.
* US-Exclusive Capability: The only weapon widely believed to be capable of destroying Fordow is the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound (13,600kg) precision-guided bomb. The United States is the only country that possesses the GBU-57, and it can only be delivered by a US B-2 stealth bomber.
* Need for Multiple Strikes: Even with the MOP, experts suggest that multiple sequential strikes would likely be needed to achieve full destruction of such a deeply buried and hardened facility.
What Israel can and has targeted:
Israel has reportedly focused its strikes on other Iranian nuclear and military sites, including:
* Natanz enrichment plant: This is Iran’s main enrichment site, and while parts of it are underground, it’s considered less deeply buried than Fordow. Israeli strikes have reportedly damaged its subterranean centrifuge halls.
* Centrifuge workshops near Tehran.
* Laboratories in Isfahan.
* Arak heavy water reactor: Recent reports indicate damage to key buildings at this facility.
In summary:
While Israel is actively seeking to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities, completely destroying heavily fortified underground “fortresses” like Fordow likely requires the deployment of the US’s most advanced “bunker buster” bombs and the aircraft to deliver them. Without direct US involvement or the transfer of these specific capabilities, a full destruction of Fordow by Israel alone is considered highly improbable.