CNN reported Tuesday, adding to the Wall Street Journal's earlier account, that Israeli intelligence assesses Iran transferred not only thousands of centrifuges but also part of its enriched uranium stockpile to the deep underground Mount Machush facility. The move deepens concerns about the site's potential to enable a nuclear breakout.
CNN reported Tuesday that Israeli intelligence assesses Iran transferred not only thousands of centrifuges but also part of its enriched uranium stockpile to the deep underground Mount Machush facility — the first public indication that fissile material was moved to the site. The report adds to the Wall Street Journal's morning account, published at 08:41 Jerusalem, that Israel shared the centrifuge intelligence to urge the Trump administration to strike the facility. The Zioneer had reported at 08:04 that Israeli intelligence assessed Iran hid thousands of centrifuges in the mountain fortress, and published analysis at 07:24 noting the site is virtually immune to conventional air strikes. At 11:49 Jerusalem, Jewish Breaking News reported that Trump has placed the site directly in Washington's crosshairs.
Dated antecedents: The Zioneer's analysis at 07:24 first assessed the site's invulnerability. At 08:04, The Zioneer reported the intelligence assessment on centrifuge transfers. The Wall Street Journal at 08:41 detailed the Israeli intelligence-sharing effort. Jewish Breaking News at 11:49 added the Trump administration's focus. The current CNN report now adds the enriched uranium component.
Attributed background: Mount Machush — also called Mount Pikaks — is a deep underground complex constructed after Operation Rising Lion. Iran has been hardening its nuclear infrastructure; CNN reported on June 13 that Tehran had collapsed tunnels and laid mines to protect its near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile. The Zioneer's earlier analysis noted that only a tactical nuclear weapon or ground operation could fully destroy the site.
It remains unclear what quantity of enriched uranium was moved, whether it is weapons-grade, or whether the centrifuges at the site are operational. The Trump administration's response is still under discussion.
3 developments
- DevelopingAssessment: Most 60%-enriched uranium found in destroyed tunnels at Isfahan nuclear site
- StrongIran collapses tunnels, lays mines to shield near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile, CNN reports
- StrongIsraeli assessment: Iran's enriched uranium entombed in attacked Isfahan tunnels, Fordow ruins
- StrongSenior US official: agreement reached on destruction of enriched uranium, confident Israel will cooperate
Source and signal
- Internal intake