Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility ‘hard to destroy,’ says former UN Inspector

A former United Nations nuclear inspector has said that Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, located deep underground, would be difficult to destroy in a military strike.

David Albright, founder of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security and a former weapons inspector, told BBC Radio 5 that the Fordow facility is buried at least 80 meters (262 feet) below ground. Its depth makes it a challenging target for conventional attacks.

Albright explained that his experience inspecting Iraq’s nuclear program helped shape the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) current methods for monitoring and inspecting secret nuclear sites. “Our work in Iraq contributed to developing strategies for uncovering hidden nuclear activities,” he said.

On the possibility of military action, Albright stated: “I believe Israel could disable the facility for a significant period, but only the United States has the capacity to destroy it entirely.”

The Fordow facility is a key component of Iran’s nuclear program and has been a focal point of international concern due to its fortified design and enrichment capabilities.