Senior Israeli official: Israel not aware of enrichment at Mount Makosh; says Mughatta alive

The briefing provides a critical update on the status of Iran's nuclear infrastructure and the ongoing strategic coordination between Jerusalem and Washington. According to the senior official, the transfer of centrifuges to Mount Makosh—a site previously identified as a key component of Iran's hardened nuclear program—has been monitored, but the intelligence does not yet show that the machines are operational for enrichment. This clarification follows prior reports, including those from i24NEWS and the Wall Street Journal, regarding the movement of thousands of centrifuges to the subterranean complex.

Strategic Decisions and Defense Independence

Beyond the tactical intelligence, the official addressed the broader geopolitical framework, noting that the ultimate decision on a kinetic strike against Iranian nuclear targets is in the hands of President Trump. This statement underscores the depth of the U.S.-Israel security alliance while acknowledging the primary role of American leadership in regional escalation management. The official also revealed that Prime Minister Netanyahu presented maps to American interlocutors illustrating the limited nature of Israel's current territorial footprint, noting that the issue of withdrawals was not raised by the U.S. side.

Looking toward the future, the official outlined a ten-year plan for Israel to achieve "defense independence." This strategic shift includes the domestic production of advanced military assets, such as stealth aircraft and unmanned bombers, aimed at reducing reliance on external procurement for core security needs. The confirmation that Mughatta remains alive adds a layer of certainty to Israeli intelligence assessments regarding high-profile figures within the regional adversarial network, though the official did not elaborate on the specific evidence supporting this conclusion.