A fresh intelligence review has disclosed that the U.S. Air Force's strategic strikes on Iran last month inflicted severe damage on the country's deeply embedded nuclear enrichment facility at Fordo. According to reports, twelve massive bombs were deployed by B-2 bombers, potentially incapacitating Iran’s nuclear operations for years. In addition to Fordo, two other nuclear sites were targeted during the attacks; while they suffered less destruction, crucial machinery necessary for nuclear weapon fabrication was ruined, hampering Iran’s capacity to advance its military nuclear capabilities.
Israeli officials last week emphasized that, though the strikes did not obliterate Iran's near-bomb-grade fuel reserves capable of producing ten nuclear weapons, the loss of manufacturing capability renders the fuel ineffectual for immediate weaponization. Consequently, U.S. officials have maintained that even if Iran retrieves the fuel from the remnants of the facilities, it would have limited utility without the requisite infrastructure.
The intelligence assessment provides insight into the outcomes of the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations, revealing that Fordo—a vital and well-protected enrichment site—was significantly impaired, hindering Iran’s nuclear fuel production roadmap. U.S. and Israeli officials estimate that Iran still possesses a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just shy of weapons-grade standards. However, they believe that this stock is now largely buried under the rubble, with only the stockpile in Isfahan remaining accessible.
Debates are ongoing within U.S. intelligence circles regarding the duration of setbacks imposed on Iran's nuclear ambitions and its capacity to craft a crude nuclear bomb from existing resources. As the situation develops, international observers continue to watch closely for ramifications stemming from the airstrikes and Iran's potential responses.
