Tucked beneath the mountains near Iran’s holy city of Qom, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) is no ordinary uranium facility. It’s a fortified underground complex that has now become Israel’s greatest strategic concern. Built 80 to 100 meters deep into solid rock, Fordow is designed not just to enrich uranium—but to survive a full-scale assault.
Why Fordow Terrifies Israel
For years, Israel has feared that Iran might eventually develop nuclear weapons. That fear is now centered on Fordow, a site that represents the culmination of Iran’s decades-long nuclear ambitions. Security experts believe if Iran ever decides to build a nuclear weapon, Fordow is the most likely place where weapons-grade uranium would first be produced.
| Key Features of Fordow | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mountain near Qom, Iran |
| Depth | 80–100 meters underground |
| Protection | Hardened rock layers, built to resist airstrikes |
| Enrichment Level | Up to 60% uranium-235 (weapon-grade is ~90%) |
A Bunker Built to Withstand Everything—Except One Bomb
Fordow is essentially a “nuclear bunker”, immune to most conventional weapons. Even America’s powerful BLU-109 bunker busters cannot penetrate its defenses. The only known munition capable of seriously damaging it is the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), which can only be deployed from a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber.
But Israel doesn’t possess either.
| Weapon | Can it Destroy Fordow? | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| BLU-109 | ❌ No | USA, allies |
| GBU-57 MOP | ✅ Yes | USA only |
| B-2 Bomber | Needed for GBU-57 | USA only |
Israel’s Limited Options
Given its current arsenal, Israel cannot destroy Fordow through direct airstrikes. Its F-35s and F-15s cannot carry a bomb heavy enough to breach the facility’s defenses. This leaves Israel with three options:
- Seek U.S. military support (airstrike with GBU-57).
- Conduct covert operations—similar to the alleged sabotage at Natanz.
- Launch cyberattacks, as seen in past Israeli-linked efforts like Stuxnet.
From Deactivated to Dangerous: Fordow’s Comeback
Under the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, Iran agreed to deactivate Fordow. However, after the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018, Iran resumed enrichment and is now producing 60% enriched uranium—just a step away from weapons-grade. That progression has made Fordow not just an intelligence concern, but a clear and present threat.
A Strategic Flashpoint for War
For Israel, Fordow is more than a target—it’s a strategic red line. If the facility becomes more active or begins producing 90% enriched uranium, military action becomes increasingly likely. The fear is not just about what’s inside Fordow, but about what it could soon become: the heart of a nuclear-armed Iran.
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