16.06.2025 10:01
Entering the fourth day of the war with Iran, Israel continues its attacks without slowing down, but it has not been able to destroy the Fordo Nuclear Facility, which it has targeted. According to experts, it seems impossible for Tel Aviv to eliminate this facility without U.S. intervention.
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The war that started between Israel and Iran continues to escalate in its fourth day. While Israel is conducting airstrikes on Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan with F-35 fighter jets, Iran is responding by targeting Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Bat Yam with drones and ballistic missiles. It is reported that many civilians have lost their lives as both countries strike each other's oil refineries.
NUCLEAR FACILITY STILL STANDS
However, the nuclear facilities of Iran, which caused the war to start, are still intact. Particularly, the Fordo Uranium Enrichment Facility, built about a kilometer deep into a mountain near the city of Qom, south of Tehran, stands out as one of Israel's most important targets.
US IS ESSENTIAL
According to an analysis by Axios news site, the success of Israel's attacks on Iran depends on the destruction of the Fordo facility. However, Israel does not have the ammunition or heavy bombers capable of destroying a facility at that depth. It is stated that only B52 bombers belonging to the US could carry out such an operation. Israel's Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, also expressed that the destruction of Fordo is crucial for the completion of the operation. A senior Israeli official stated in an interview with Al Arabiya, "If we cannot strike Fordo, the entire operation will be in vain," acknowledging that US intervention is necessary.
TRUMP IS INDECISIVE
Although Israel has directly requested assistance from the US for the destruction of Fordo, the Washington administration is not taking a clear stance on this issue. According to sources speaking to Axios, while US President Donald Trump hinted at possible American involvement during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the White House quickly denied this claim. It is reported that the Trump administration is currently only providing defensive support.
WHY IS FORDO CRITICAL?
The Fordo facility, whose existence was revealed in 2009, had raised concerns in the international community regarding Iran's goals of producing nuclear weapons. In 2015, Iran agreed to suspend its activities at the facility as part of a nuclear agreement with countries including the US. However, after Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, Iran resumed its uranium enrichment activities. According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency dated 2025, Iran possesses uranium enriched to 60%. It is stated that if this rate is increased to 90%, Iran could have the capacity to produce six nuclear bombs. Experts indicate that Iran is the only country with such a level of enriched uranium that does not possess nuclear weapons.
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