Posted on 06/16/2025 9:19:16 PM PDT by 11th_VA
The entire Israeli campaign to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons will be considered a failure if the spinning centrifuges deep underground at the Fordow enrichment facility south of Tehran are left untouched, the former head of U.S. Central Command said Monday.
"I take it at face value when the Israelis say if Fordow is untouched when they're finished, they would regard it as a failure … retired Marine Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie said in a Middle East Institute panel discussion.
Former CIA and National Security Council official Ken Pollack, the panel's moderator, said he had been told by Israeli officials that, "If this ends with Fordow still functioning, we have not achieved our objectives."
Even as Fordow remains a high priority for the Israelis, the facility has been relatively untouched thus far, McKenzie said. "I'm certain they're gonna get round to Fordow," he said, but how the Israelis could attack and destroy a facility believed to be protected by reinforced concrete a half-mile underground was unclear.
The Air Force has the weapon that could possibly penetrate the Fordow facility -- the GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator), a precision-guided, 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bomb that can penetrate down 200 feet before exploding.
The MOP weapon can be delivered only by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, McKenzie said. "It is a uniquely American capability we've trained with over a number of years," he explained, but added that the bunker buster was unlikely to be used unless Iran attacked U.S. personnel or assets in the region.
However, McKenzie said without giving specifics that "there are other ways to get at that space," meaning Fordow. "I really can't say a lot more about that," he said, but the other ways would involve what he called "heroic measures." …
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
The Israelis are smart people. I'm sure they could come up with a way if they had to. Besides there's no guarantee that a bunker buster would do the job required. And what about the fallout if it did work.
Seems like maybe they should have started there.
Where is the uranium that’s already been processed? If they have already enough to make a few bombs, then taking out the centrifuges doesn’t equal a total success.
I don’t know why there would be fallout. That happens when tons of radioactive material is propelled into the upper atmosphere. A bunker buster wouldn’t do that.
Yeah, let Israel do it on its own
The old 28 was 60% case by mass and 40% explosive filler, it was 5,000 lbs and could get down to ~140 feet.
The new 57 is far more case (stronger) 75% of it’s mass and is 30,000 lbs.
I have a suspicious feeling that the disclosed 200 feet penetration is on the extreme conservative side.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Israel had people inside sabotaging the works to cause some kind of “accident” that would force the facility to shut down permanently.
Maybe to do with this, whatever it is?
“During an interview earlier today on Merit TV about the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, stated, “We’ve pulled off a number of surprises — when the dust settles — your going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday, that will make the “Beeper” operation almost seem simple.””
Link (with video): https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1934819803060986353
Loose lips sink ships”
He’s giving the day !?!?!? That’s like Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield upper deck - Lol !!
Since nobody here knows anything, no warning is needed.
The world picks a side in Israel-Iran conflict: How war in Middle East has exposed deepening East-West divisions as countries start to declare allegiances
Come on man... you’re ruining the game of secret squirrel!
Not even clear that our MOABs can take it out. Half a mile under a mountain? Sheesh!
Given how creative the IDF has been, I suspect they have things under control in ways we will be surprised by.
What the h€ll is Turkey doing in NATO … and why do we still have nukes in their country ?
Even facilities protected 1/2 mile underground have to get air from somewhere.
Maybe Israel has one of those tunnel machines developed by Elon …
“What the h€ll is Turkey doing in NATO”
That is a question for the ages.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.