An Israeli security analysis aired on Army Radio reports that the underground Mount Machush nuclear site contains centrifuges and components for a full enrichment facility, remains inactive, and is assessed as partially immune to American airstrikes. The assessment holds that full destruction is not feasible but neutralization may be possible. The story, which Israeli intelligence has tracked for about a year, was recently leaked to the Wall Street Journal.
Israeli security analysts determined Wednesday morning that the underground Mount Machush nuclear facility near Natanz is partially immune to American airstrikes, making full destruction unfeasible but neutralization potentially achievable. The assessment, aired on Army Radio, adds to a series of reports that have emerged over the past two weeks regarding the site's capabilities and the rising threat of a US strike.
The Zioneer has been tracking the Mount Machush story since mid-July. On July 13, the Israeli defense establishment was placed on its highest alert in months amid talk of US strikes on the site. On July 21, The Zioneer reported that Iran had transferred thousands of centrifuges to the facility, and President Trump vowed to strike it 'fairly soon' during a White House meeting. The Zioneer also published an analysis describing Mount Machush as a secret underground site never visited by inspectors and one of the hardest aerial targets. Later that day, Channel 14 claimed the exposure of the centrifuge site constituted an Iranian breach of an agreement with the US. This morning at 09:35 Jerusalem, multiple Israeli journalists from N13/Army Radio reported that the site contains all components needed for a full enrichment plant, though it remains inactive. The reports also warned that introducing enriched uranium would be a 'bright red line' requiring US action. The final assessment confirmed that current US capabilities can neutralize but not fully destroy the facility.
As The Zioneer reported on July 21, Mount Machush is a strategic underground site that international inspectors have never visited. President Trump declared that same day that the US would strike the site 'fairly soon' and that Iran had not yet seen the full extent of US capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, questioned in a Senate hearing, cited the US's unmatched military capabilities but declined to detail classified options.
Despite the assessments and public warnings, the Mount Machush facility remains inactive. It is not known whether Iran has taken any additional steps to activate the site since the transfers reported in July. The Israeli assessment acknowledges that full neutralization may be possible, but the timeline and specific US operational plans remain unconfirmed.
6 developments
- DevelopingIran's Khatam al-Anbiya HQ: US strike on Mount Makosh would make all US interests legitimate targets
- DevelopingIran rejects NATO claims on nuclear program, Strait of Hormuz as 'baseless'
- StrongIranian official warns US troops, allies will pay price for Mount Makosh strike, tells CNN
- DevelopingTrump: Mount Makosh a possible target for 'big, fat and beautiful' attack
Source and signal
- Internal intake