INCREASING CHANCES OF ISRAELI STRIKE ON FORDOW
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has not dismissed the possibility of launching an independent strike on Fordow, although officials have not revealed specific plans for how this might occur.
According to four sources, it appears more likely that Israel will proceed with a unilateral military action. With Israel’s air dominance over much of Iran, such an operation is deemed more achievable, albeit still risky, as noted by two of the sources.
Israeli officials feel they have the upper hand but are aware of the time constraints due to the war’s costs, according to one source.
“I believe they won’t wait much longer,” the source stated.
It’s unclear whether an operation would focus on aerial attacks, ground troops, or a combination of both. Two sources mentioned that rather than obliterating the entire facility, Israel might target key components within it.
This approach could involve damaging what is housed inside, as one source explained, while choosing not to provide further details.
Some analysts propose that Israel could send special forces to infiltrate Fordow and destroy it from the inside.
Another possibility being considered is a rapid series of bomb drops to breach the heavily fortified site, akin to the method Israel used to eliminate Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah last year, according to a source familiar with the plans.
This type of attack could be followed by a special forces operation, the source indicated.
It remains uncertain if Israel possesses munitions powerful enough to penetrate the fortified structure. Many believe that successful intervention would likely require U.S. support.
Even with the extensive firepower of a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operation, experts on military and nuclear affairs argue that such an attack would probably only provide a temporary setback to what the West fears is Iran’s aim to eventually develop nuclear weapons, a claim that Iran continues to deny.
