Middle East: Fordo final goal? Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities

Since his offensive against Iran, Israel has already hit several important elements of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. However, the underground uranium enrichment system in Fordo has not yet been destroyed. What goals have been attacked so far, and why is Fordo still?

According to Israeli information, the well -protected facility near the city of Ghom is the most important goal when it comes to preventing the construction of an Iranian nuclear weapon. “Fordo must be eliminated at the end of this entire operation,” said Israel’s ambassador in Washington, Yechiel Head, the broadcaster Fox News.

According to the international atomic energy authority, hundreds of centrifuges at Fordo revolve it at overs sound speed to produce almost armed uranium with a purity degree of up to 60 percent. The political leadership in Tehran does not strive for a nuclear arsenal. But Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons that produces such material. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Iran recently owned around 409 kilograms.

According to diplomats, about 42 kilograms would be sufficient for a nuclear warhead – if the material would be enriched a little further to 90 percent. As the IAEA reports, Iran has previously planned to significantly increase the production capacity in Fordo.

The enrichment system is dug deep into a mountain. Israel’s military therefore would have great difficulty destroying Fordo, the former high-ranking US security officer Brett McGurk told the broadcaster CNN. The United States, on the other hand, are able to do this.

Under western states, only the United States with its overwhelming and precision-driven bunker breaker GBU-57 have a suitable weapon. With the force of her own weight, the 13.6-ton bomb rams the path of your explosive charge. It was specially developed for the destinations, rock, rock or concrete.

Israel has less effective bunker -breaking weapons. Several bombs that are thrown at the destination in succession penetrate deeper than a single bomb. However, the requirements for logistics and surgical ability to use such an assignment are enormous.

According to the IAEA, Iran’s second enrichment system in Natans has already been largely destroyed. Up to 60 percent uranium was also made there. The above -ground part of the location was hit directly by Israel. The centrifuges in the underground part could have been damaged by the elimination of the power supply, said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi.

According to Grossi, the radiation contamination within the system is dangerous. Outside the attacked facility, the values ​​are normal, he said on Monday.

Several important components of the Iranian nuclear program are located in Isfahan. According to Grossis, four buildings have been damaged so far. Among them were a chemical laboratory, a system for the processing of uranium ore and a factory for the production of reactor fuel.

A system under construction for the production of uranium metal was also hit in Isfahan. Uran metal is not only required as fuel in some reactor types, but can also be used in nuclear weapons.

According to the IAEA, this heavy water reactor under construction has not yet been damaged.

According to IAEA, the only nuclear power plant of Iran has not been attacked.