Massive Explosion Reported at Iran's Fordow Nuclear Facility [plus TXnMA Photo Analysis]

Business Insider Military and Defense ^ | Jan. 28, 2013, 7:03 AM | Robert Johnson

[TXnMA]

Reports of an explosion at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility have surfaced and are being both confirmed and denied by multiple sources.

The Jerusalem Post cites a report by Reza Kahlili that says: “The blast shook facilities within a radius of three miles. Security forces have enforced a no-traffic radius of 15 miles, and the Tehran- Qom highway was shut down for several hours after the blast.” Kahlili's report says the Fordow nuclear facility was severely damaged in an explosion and up to 240 workers trapped inside. The explosion was reportedly confined to the plant, suggesting that if it were an airstrike, it was highly localized. But this possibility is no more or less likely than sabotage, or an accident, assuming the explosion occurred at all.

>SNIP<

Iran's official news agency, says the same thing, with the IRNA, promptly denying the explosion, claiming the news was simply the result of the Western media-fueled "propoganda machine." That might have ended the story there, but The Times of London's Israel correspondent Sheera Frenkel is confirming the incident through her own independent sources: An explosion is believed to have damaged Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, which is being used to enrich uranium, Israeli intelligence officials have told The Times. Sources in Tel Aviv said yesterday that they thought the explosion happened last week. The Israeli Government is investigating reports that it led to extensive structural damage and 200 workers had been trapped inside. One Israeli official said: “We are still in the preliminary stages of understanding what happened and how significant it is.” He did not know, he added, if the explosion was “sabotage or accident”, and refused to comment on reports that Israeli aircraft were seen near the facility at the time of the explosion.

[TXnMA]

The significance of this report is that it includes a satellite photo that, purportedly, includes evidence of an explosion at the facility:

Working on the assumption that the photo is authentic, I will post my own image analysis in comments to follow.

[Larry Lucido]

It’s either massive smoke, or Godzilla’s shadow.

[Venturer]

Well Jay Carney says it aint so, and I believe Jay Carney

Bwaahahahahahahahahha

[Cicero]

I’d be more inclined to believe the Jerusalem Post than Obama’s press secretary, who I believe was among those to deny this report.

[mnehring]

Unusual image. No blast marks or debris, just a hole (deep underground explosion?) No indication of recovery operation.

[battlecry]

Cloud’s shadow.

[jch10]

Didn’t happen. Jay Carney said so.

[AppyPappy]

I would hope the President’s office would have the courtesy to lie about it if they did do it.

Obama: “No I did not blow up that facility, Fordow. Those allegations are false. Now I’ve got to get back to the business of the American people”.
Biden: “What a bunch of Iranian retar..”
Obama: “Joe, on me. Let’s go”.

[dblshot]

Wouldn't an explosion that size be picked up by seismic earthquake sensors?

[prisoner6]

That’s what I was thinking. There should be debris visible. Is it because the land scar is not related to the incident? The cloud could be anything.

[Ray76]

The surface appears undamaged... roads are intact... there doesn’t appear to be any source or plume of smoke.... I smell photoshop.

[Strategerist]

The photo is authentic, but the site makes no claims it has evidence of an explosion.

If you think that area on the left is some sort of crater, it isn’t - it looked the same in 2009.

http://iranpolicycommitteepublishing.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/fordow.jpg

[mnehring]

Zooming in, it looks like there is an ordinance entry point bottom center, probably deep penetrater like a MOAB. Facility collapsed in on itself. No activity may indicate fear of radiation.

[Red Badger]

Moon Shadow
Cat Stevens

I’m being followed by a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Leaping and hopping on a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
And if I ever lose my hands
Lose my plough, lose my land
Oh, if I ever lose my hands- Oh, if...
I wont have to work no more
And if I ever lose my eyes
If my colours all run dry
And if I ever lose my eyes - Oh,
I won’t have to cry no more
Yes, I’m being followed by a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Leaping and hopping on a moonshadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
{ From: http://www.elyrics.net }
And if I ever lose my legs
I won’t moan and I won’t beg
Oh if I ever lose my legs- Oh if...
I won’t have to walk no more
And if I ever lose my mouth
All my teeth, north and south
Yes, if I ever lose my mouth- Oh if...
I won’t have to talk...
Did it take long to find me
I ask the faithful light
Did it take long to find me
And are you going to stay the night
I’m being followed by a moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow
Moon shadow moon shadow

[Strategerist]

Wouldn't an explosion that size be picked up by seismic earthquake sensors?

Yes. Since it wasn't, it means there wasn't an explosion.

[mnehring]

Good find

[nascarnation]

That GBU-57 MOP is quite impressive.
It would be unfortunate for those Muzzies if it just happened to fall off of one of our B-2s.
I’ve heard the attaching straps were underdesigned....

[prisoner6]

There appear to be acess roads and ramps into the crater.

[Hardraade]

There’s extensive smudging, and what appears to be a fingerprint over the installation. Hand of God?

[Proud2BeRight]

“What difference does it make?”