Netanyahu Claims Israel Can Strike Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Without U.S. Help
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a bold assertion that Israel possesses the capability to independently strike Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility, a claim that contradicts weeks of reports suggesting the site’s near-impenetrable defenses require U.S. military support. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, buried 80-90 meters beneath a mountain near Qom, is a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear program and has long been considered a challenging target due to its depth and reinforced construction.
Israel Admits It Cannot Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program – Israel simply lacks the bunker buster bombs and large bomber aircraft needed to destroy Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment site. https://t.co/CqYd63zvsH pic.twitter.com/WuAHaDhUQf
— Armstrong Economics (@StrongEconomics) June 16, 2025
For weeks, experts and media outlets have emphasized that only the U.S. military’s GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bomb, could effectively penetrate Fordow’s defenses. Israel, lacking such munitions and the heavy bombers needed to deploy them, was thought to be incapable of destroying the facility without American assistance. However, in a recent Hebrew-language interview with Israel’s Kan broadcaster, Netanyahu declared, “We will achieve all our objectives and hit all of their nuclear facilities. We have the capability to do that,” specifically referencing Fordow.
🚨 JUST IN: Netanyahu admits Israel DOES NOT need help reaching their “goals” in Iran
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 19, 2025
This is EXACTLY WHY we anti-war advocates have been so vocal this past week.
This is NOT OUR WAR — it’s Israel’s. And if they claim they can do it themselves, be my guest.
“Israel has the… pic.twitter.com/FZa3XoiJun
This shift in rhetoric has sparked speculation about Israel’s potential strategies. Some analysts suggest Israel might be considering unconventional methods, such as ground-based commando operations to plant explosives inside the facility, though such a mission would carry immense risks. Others speculate that Israel could employ a layered bombing technique using smaller bunker busters like the GBU-28, though their effectiveness against Fordow’s fortifications remains uncertain. Posts on X have even fueled rumors of Israel possessing advanced or nuclear capabilities, though no evidence supports these claims.
Netanyahu’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” targeting Iranian nuclear sites like Natanz and Arak. While Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that Fordow houses centrifuges capable of enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels, heightening Israel’s concerns about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Critics argue that Netanyahu’s claim may be more about political posturing than military reality, aimed at rallying domestic support and pressuring the U.S. to act. A national security expert told ABC News that even U.S. bunker busters might not guarantee Fordow’s destruction due to uncertainties about the facility’s design. Moreover, any strike risks regional escalation, with Iran threatening retaliation and the potential release of toxic chemicals from a damaged Fordow.
As the world awaits U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on whether to join Israel’s campaign, Netanyahu’s assertion has added a new layer of intrigue to the conflict. Whether Israel truly possesses the means to neutralize Fordow remains unclear, but the Prime Minister’s confidence has shifted the narrative, raising questions about Israel’s next move in this high-stakes standoff.
Sources: MSN News, ABC News, Reuters, The New York Times