The Zioneer analysis, following the WSJ report that Israel shared intelligence on Iran moving thousands of centrifuges to the deep underground Mount Pikaks facility, assesses that the site is virtually immune to conventional air strikes. The transfer brings Iran closer to being able to enrich uranium to military grade, though the centrifuges are not yet operational. The analysis notes that only a tactical nuclear weapon or ground operation could destroy the site entirely.
The Zioneer published an analysis Tuesday morning assessing that Iran's deep underground nuclear facility at Mount Pikaks is virtually immune to conventional air strikes, following the Wall Street Journal report that Israel shared intelligence with the US about Iran transferring thousands of centrifuges to the site.
The WSJ report, covered by The Zioneer at 07:07, stated that Israeli intelligence informed the US that Iran apparently moved advanced centrifuges to the protected underground facility. The new analysis, drawing on that report, notes that while the transfer does not mean enrichment has resumed — the centrifuges require complex infrastructure including wiring, electronics, and cooling systems — it brings Iran closer to the ability to enrich uranium to military grade.
The analysis also references President Trump's threat to strike the site, which The Zioneer reported at 00:29 Tuesday. Trump described the site as 'a good target for a big fat shot right in the front door,' suggesting a cruise missile attack to seal the entrances rather than destroy the facility. The Zioneer analysis, however, assesses that the site is immune to conventional bunker busters, and only a tactical nuclear weapon or ground operation could destroy it entirely.
The assessment notes that Iran's highest-grade enriched uranium is believed to be entombed in the rubble of sites in Isfahan and possibly Fordow, and Israeli intelligence assesses that Iran cannot extract it without detection. However, Iran likely holds stockpiles of lower-enriched uranium that could be further enriched to military grade, and the location of all stockpiles is not fully known.
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