US officials told the New York Times that the underground nuclear facility at Mount Machush is carved deep inside the mountain, while Iran's leadership fears a ground commando raid in which American special forces would enter and destroy the complex from within, according to a report by N12.
The Zioneer reported earlier Friday evening that US officials told the New York Times the Mount Machush underground nuclear facility is beyond the penetration range of conventional bombs, with Iran fearing a ground commando raid. A follow-up report from N12, citing the same US officials, adds that the facility is carved deep inside the mountain, and that Iran's concerns specifically focus on a raid in which American special forces would enter the complex and destroy it from within.
Mount Machush has been a central point in the US-Iran military confrontation. The Zioneer has previously reported on Israeli intelligence assessments that Iran transferred thousands of centrifuges to the hardened site, and on US plans for phased strikes on access routes. However, the prospect of a ground raid—rather than airstrikes—represents a distinct operational scenario that Iran's leadership reportedly fears.
The report does not indicate whether the US is actively planning such a raid, but the fact that Iran's fears are being cited by US officials suggests the option is being weighed in strategic discussions.
4 developments
- StrongAnalysis: Iran's Mount Makush nuclear facility deeper than Fordow, US reportedly plans phased strike on access routes
- StrongSatellite imagery reveals construction activity at Iran's secret underground nuclear facility near Natanz
- StrongIsraeli Intelligence: Iran Moved Thousands of Centrifuges to Mount Machush Underground Facility
- StrongThe Zioneer: Mount Machush — a secret nuclear site inspectors never visited, one of the hardest aerial targets
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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