Located practically in the center of the country that is now in conflict with Israel, the Fordow Center is an enduring target in the Eyes of the US. This is where it is much of the nuclear program that Iran has developed to get a gun. To destroy it is necessary a direct US involvement
The eyes of the world are in Fordow, the nuclear infrastructure of Iran that seems appetizing to Israel and the United States (USA). The growing tension in the region, coupled with the revelations about the operation and shield of this underground installation, place Fordow at the center of a possible military operation with unpredictable consequences.
Five tunnels excavated in a set of mountains, a large support structure and a large safety perimeter is all that can be seen at the door of one of the main nuclear infrastructures of Iran, from the latest. Since it was made public in 2009, this installation remains involved in secretism.
“Fordow is an enrichment center that acts as bunker large meters deep. We are talking about something highly specialized that contains centrifugers, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency,” says Luís Guimarãis, a specialist in nuclear physics.
The heart of the installation is located at an estimated depth between 80 and 100 meters, which represents great difficulties for any conventional pump. Still, there is a way to destroy the Iranian bunker. But this possibility can only come from the US.
How to attack what seems unassailable?
Developed by the US to face underground targets such as Fordow, the GBU-57 A/B Mop pump weighs about 14 tons and was designed to penetrate fortified structures before detonating inside. It seems at this moment the only way to reach the depth of the nuclear center.
“It is a bomb that the US has developed to attack underground infrastructures without necessary the use of nuclear weapons. That is, it has a destruction that can be similar, but without radiation,” explains Major General Agostinho Costa, referring to the GBU-57 A/B Mop.
Sources: US Air Force; Director’s Office, Operational Tests and Evaluation; US Army, Operating Environment Data Integration Network; Global security; United Real Institute of Defense and Security Studies; CNN
But even this weapon finds boundaries in the challenge that represents Fordow. “There is another side of the hand. This bomb is of high precision, but it cannot be released at 90 kilometers, such as Russian bombs. It has to be released under the purpose, which would imply that it reached the target zone, that is, it would have to go in depth inside Iran,” says Agostinho Costa.
“Usually this bomb has the same principle of Taurus missiles, which have a smaller capacity. In good truth weighs 14 tons, but the explosive is 2.7 tons,” underlines the major-general, adding that “it has two types of explosive: the first allows the structures to pierce, later, when it reaches an open space, the bunker itself, produces a built.”
The problems, however, are not around. The operation to reach Fordow would require a logistical and military effort of unusual proportions. To reach the nuclear center, US pumps need their own transportation capable of moving their gross weight: US B-2.
“The only bomber with the capacity to launch these bombs is the American B-2, which is at the end of the life cycle. There are even some doubts if it is really effective, which is forcing the US to develop a successor, the B-21,” he says, “according to some sources, to destroy Fordow, there would be necessary six bombers, ie 12 bombs, which would be a lot,” alerts, Major-General, explaining that the B-2 can carry only two bombs at a time.
The depth and shielding of the complex causes, even with perforating bombs such as GBU-57, there are no absolute guarantees of total destruction. “There is a lot of secrecy around this. Some sources say these centers have devices with reinforced concrete. It has never been tested, they will certainly be quite affected by an attack,” he says.
What if Fordow is attacked?
A possible attack on Fordow raises serious questions regarding the consequences it could bring to the health of the surrounding population.
“Fordow contains uranium hexafluoride, known as UF6, which, in case of contamination of an aquifer sheet, does not go far,” explains Luís Guimarãis. “UF6 itself is very toxic, but there is a lot of experience in dealing with it because it is a fundamental piece of enrichment, both for civil and military nuclear energy. It is like dealing with Lixia. If we know what we are doing, there is no danger.”
However, if accidentally released, the UF6 contact with water can lead to fluoridric acid, a highly corrosive compound for human lungs, as the nuclear physics expert warns. “The great danger is whether someone comes into the center without proper protection. UF6 inhalation could create a burns or increase the possibility of having cancer in the lungs,” he reiterates.
Despite the fear of a possible attack, Luís Guimarãis believes the risks could be worse if Israel attacked another Iranian central. “The danger of contamination may be higher in Natanz than in Fordow, as it is located more to the surface,” he argues, adding that “if fordoow is attacked it is virtually impossible to have nuclear explosion.”
Fordow, the missing target in Israel
Located practically in the center of the country that is now in conflict with Israel, the Fordow infrastructure is an enduring target in the Eyes of the US. The explanation? It is the only center in operation at this point.
“Natanz is inoperative, so the US or Israel have no interest in attacking. The focus will most likely be more fordow, because it is operational. Israel destroyed everything that was linked to the cycle of enrichment. It remains this central, the only time in operation,” says Luís Guimarãis, further stating that “if you see that Israel knew what he was doing [quando atacou outras centrais]because it reached the nevralgic buildings for the enrichment cycle. “” They were surgical, especially in Natanz and Khondab. “
“The process of enrichment is explained in four steps: mining (which makes no sense to attack logistically); Conversion (where an Isfahan building was attacked), Forming (where the centers of Fordow and Natanz are inserted); and the manufacture of fuel (located in an Isfahan -destroyed building),” explains the nuclear physics expert.
Although the focus of Washington and Jerusalem is by this time Fordow, high risks and astronomical costs (it is estimated that each GBU-57 costs $ 20 million), could not compensate for an attack to the center as it would not necessarily resolve the Iranian nuclear threat, as Agostinho Costa believes.
“Iran has five centers, so we have already seen that Americans cannot destroy them all. This attack can be a symbolic act to clean their face and for domestic consumption. This does not solve the issue of conflict,” argues the Major General.
Attack to Bushehr Center “would be a disaster”
In recent hours, the director of the Atomic International Energy Agency warned that a direct attack on the Iranian Nuclear Center of Bushehr would result in a “very high radioactivity release” that would affect people within hundreds of kilometers from the central.
Faced with UN Security Council, Rafael Grossi said Bushehr is “nuclear installation in Iran where the consequences of an attack can be more serious.” He said that, like a nuclear plant in operation, Bushehr has “thousands of pounds of nuclear material.”
The location of Bushehr in southern Iran means that it is closer to the capitals of several US allies in the region than from Tehran and, therefore, Grossi expresses concern.
“I want to make this absolutely and completely clear. In the case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear center, a direct attack would result in a very high radioactivity release to the environment,” he said.
