Iran's nuclear facility at Fordo has sustained significant damage due to U.S. airstrikes conducted last month, according to a new intelligence report. The assessment notes that twelve massive bombs dropped by B-2 bombers have likely crippled the site, which Iran considers to be its most protected and advanced nuclear enrichment location.
While the bombings have left Fordo in disarray, two other nuclear sites targeted during the operation suffered less severe damage. However, vital components for weapon fabrication at these sites were destroyed, suggesting that the reconstruction process could take several years, U.S. officials indicated.
An Israeli official acknowledged that the strikes may not have wholly eradicated Iran's near-bomb-grade fuel supply, capable of producing approximately 10 nuclear weapons. However, U.S. officials assert that in the absence of facilities to manufacture weapons, this fuel would offer little value if salvageable from the rubble.
The intelligence assessment provides crucial insights into the outcomes of the joint Israeli and U.S. strikes. It paints a picture of a severely impaired Fordo facility, which is crucial for Iran's nuclear fuel production, likely hindering their nuclear ambitions significantly.
Despite the bombings, Iran is believed to still possess a stockpile of uranium enriched to a 60% purity, just below weapons-grade levels. U.S. and Israeli officials speculate that this stockpile is currently buried under debris, with only a portion at Iran's Isfahan laboratory remaining accessible.
The ongoing discourse within the U.S. government revolves around the long-term setbacks these strikes have imposed on Iran's nuclear program and their capability to utilize existing uranium for crude bomb production.
