Israel Strikes Iran's Fortified Fordow Nuclear Site Amid Escalating Conflict

Israel's operation Rising Lion aims to neutralize Iran's heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is deeply buried inside a mountain near Qom and protected by advanced air defenses, making it a challenging target. This nuclear facility, critical to Iran's nuclear program, enriches uranium up to 60 percent, close to weapons-grade levels, and has so far survived Israeli airstrikes that destroyed other sites like Natanz and eliminated key Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders. Israeli officials emphasize that eliminating Fordow is essential to halting Iran's ability to produce weapons-grade material, but Israel currently lacks the bunker-busting munitions and strategic bombers required to destroy the deeply embedded site fully. The ongoing missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, including Iran's recent retaliatory ballistic missile strikes on Israeli cities, highlight the escalating conflict and the brinkmanship between the two nations. The broader geopolitical context shows Israel's regional dominance being challenged amid shifting global power dynamics, with Iran's nuclear ambitions further intensifying tensions. Despite Israel's tactical successes, the resilience of Fordow underscores the complexities of preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons capabilities.