Fordow appears to be one of the primary targets of recent Israeli strikes on Iran – but what makes this nuclear facility so central to Israel’s strategic concerns?

On Saturday, Iranian state media reported explosions near the Fordow site. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, and no damage has been officially reported so far.

Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump stated that he had not yet decided whether to launch an attack on the underground facility, although military plans for such an operation were already in place.

“We have the capability to do it, but that doesn’t mean we will,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I haven’t made a decision,” he added.

Fordow is Iran’s second-largest nuclear facility after Natanz. Located near the holy city of Qom – around 95 kilometres south-west of Tehran – the site operates under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Constructed in secret from 2006, the existence of Fordow was only revealed in 2009, once it had become operational. Western powers, including the United States, strongly criticised Iran for failing to disclose the site during its construction.

Built to withstand airstrikes

Fordow was specifically designed to endure air attacks. Buried roughly 80 metres underground beneath layers of soil and rock, it is considered resistant to conventional bunker-busting bombs.

Given Israel’s view of Iran’s nuclear programme as an existential threat, facilities like Fordow and Natanz are considered top targets.

Previously, the Fordow site served as a base for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and was protected by Iranian and Russian surface-to-air missile systems. However, these defences may have been neutralised in recent Israeli airstrikes.

Experts believe that only the United States possesses bombs powerful enough to destroy Fordow’s underground chambers – specifically, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 13,000-kilogram bunker-buster.

The Israeli Defence Forces, meanwhile, are thought to possess GBU-28 bombs, which can penetrate up to six metres underground. Nonetheless, military analysts note that cyber warfare could be an alternative method for disabling the site.

In 2010, the Stuxnet virus – allegedly developed in a joint US-Israeli operation – successfully destroyed thousands of Iranian centrifuges.

A facility shrouded in suspicion

Fordow was originally constructed for uranium enrichment. At its peak, the site is believed to have hosted 16 cascades and around 3,000 centrifuges. Iran initially enriched uranium to a 5% level but increased this to over 20% by 2011.

Under the 2015 nuclear deal with major Western powers, Iran agreed to cease uranium enrichment at Fordow.

But in 2019, President Hassan Rouhani reversed this commitment, announcing that uranium gas would once again be injected into centrifuges at the site – effectively reactivating it as a nuclear facility.

The IAEA continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities through surveillance systems and periodic inspections.

During an unannounced inspection in January 2023 by the IAEA, sets of centrifuges at Fordow had been installed, enabling the enrichment of uranium to 60% purity, contravening Tehran’s safeguards agreement with the UN agency.

“Iran implemented a significant change to the declared design information for the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) without informing the agency in advance. This was contrary to Iran’s obligations under its safeguards agreement,” IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said.

Officials in Tehran have consistently claimed that the enriched uranium is intended for peaceful, primarily medical purposes.

According to the IAEA, Fordow remains the primary site for Iran’s uranium enriched to roughly 60%—well above levels considered peaceful and edging closer to weapons-grade (90%).

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Trump: Next week is going to be very big

Trump took questions on the situation in Iran in the Oval Office while hosting Juventus players.

Donald Trump said next week is going to be “very big” after he was asked whether the US would join Israel’s military action against Iran.

“Next week will be decisive regarding Iran, and it may happen before the end of the week,” Mr Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn.

“I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran’s got a lot of trouble,” he said.

The president is considering backing Israeli strikes on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear site, which so far has been spared damage.

According to reports, the US president has approved attack plans, but is holding off on giving the final order to see if the regime will agree to abandon its nuke program.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to discuss on Thursday how to respond if the US president asks the UK for support in conducting strikes against Iran.

Mr Trump also said that Iran had reached out to negotiate and offered to visit the White House.

“Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate,” the US president told reporters. “And I said, why didn’t you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction? Why didn’t you go?”

11:58 PM BST

US moves some military assets

The US military has moved some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack, two US officials told Reuters.

The officials, who were speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the move was a part of planning to protect US forces. They declined to say how many aircraft or ships had been moved and where they would be going.

One of the officials said US naval vessels had been moved from a port in Bahrain, where the military’s fifth fleet is located, while aircraft that were not in hardened shelters had been moved from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

“It is not an uncommon practice. Force protection is the priority,” the official said.

11:43 PM BST

Iran has not asked Russia for military help

Iran has not asked its ally Russia for military help amid its escalating conflict with Israel, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

“Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this,” he said in response to a question from an AFP reporter at a televised press conference in Saint Petersburg.

Answering questions from the media, Putin said he “doesn’t even want to discuss” the potential assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israel or the United States.

11:02 PM BST

Pictured: Iran resumes attack on Israel

Iran has resumed its aerial attack on Israel tonight, sending a barrage of missiles towards Tel Aviv and the West Bank.

10:26 PM BST

UK joining the war could be illegal, says Attorney General

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by Lord Hermer that UK involvement in a US attack on Iran could be illegal.

Advice ascribed to the Attorney General is understood to have said that Britain must limit its involvement to protecting its allies from attack.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sir Keir held a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee at which options for joining a US-led strike were discussed, with Donald Trump suggesting he was poised to enter Israel’s war.

Britain’s capabilities extend from offering air and maritime logistics support in the Gulf to shooting down attack drones targeting Israel or even firing submarine-launched missiles at Iran itself.

However, it is understood that Lord Hermer is reluctant to sign off on any offensive operations. One official who has seen his legal advice told The Spectator: “The AG has concerns about the UK playing any role in this except for defending our allies.”

10:16 PM BST

Analysis: It’s no accident that Trump is keeping us guessing

Donald Trump made a dramatic exit from the G7 summit in Canada and then hunkered down with his National Security Council in the White House situation room to plot his next moves on Iran.

Then on Wednesday he was asked by reporters whether he was about to send his bombers into action.

“I may do it. I may not do it,” he said on the South Lawn after chatting with construction workers putting up a 27-metre flagpole.

“I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran’s got a lot of trouble.”

It is a familiar playbook.

10:02 PM BST

Lammy to visit Washington for talks with Rubio

David Lammy is travelling to Washington for talks with his American counterpart Marco Rubio.

The Foreign Secretary will meet with the US secretary of state after President Donald Trump said he was considering whether to join Israeli strikes against Iran.

“He will be addressing the current situation in the Middle East along with other foreign policy matters,” a spokesman for the British embassy in Washington said.

08:54 PM BST

Pictured: Another night underground in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv residents are spending another night underground as Iranian missile attacks continue to threaten the city.

A belly dancer is performing for those sleeping (or trying to) at the city’s light rail station.

08:42 PM BST

Iran was a few weeks away from a nuclear bomb, says Trump

Donald Trump has repeated the claim that Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office a moment ago, the US president said a deal with Tehran “could still happen” and that he believes “Iran was a few weeks away from having a nuclear weapon”.

He added: “They should have made the deal, I had a great deal for them, in the end they decided not to do it, and now they wish they did it”.

US intelligence sources and the United Nations have doubted that Iran was about to have a nuclear weapon.

Earlier today, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it “could not affirm there is any systematic effort in Iran at the moment to manufacture a nuclear weapon.”

Mr Trump also said that Iranian officials “want to come to the White House”, a claim that Tehran has denied.

08:22 PM BST

Trump: I haven’t decided what to do on Iran

Donald Trump has just spoken to reporters in the Oval Office, during an event with the Juventus football team.

He said he had not yet decided what to do on Iran.

“I have ideas as to what to do,” he said. “I like to make a final decision one second before it’s due.”

He once again said that Iran should have made a deal and now it was too late to meet.

So could the regime there fall, he was asked. “Sure, anything could happen,” he said.

The US president added that he will hold a meeting in the Situation Room in about an hour to discuss the evacuation of American citizens from Israel.

07:43 PM BST

Pictured: Israelis flee beach after missile alert

07:42 PM BST

Israel strikes near police HQ in Tehran, state media reports

An Israeli strike has hit near police headquarters in Tehran, according to state media.

A number of police men were wounded, it added.

“Some buildings around the headquarters of the National Police were attacked, and a number of our colleagues were injured,” the official IRNA news agency reported, citing a police statement.

07:38 PM BST

Most Trump supporters against US joining Israel-Iran war, poll finds

A majority of Donald Trump backers are against US military involvement in Israel’s war with Iran, a poll published Wednesday found.

It comes as the president is considering backing Israeli strikes on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear site, which so far has been spared damage. “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump said on Wednesday.

A wide ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53 per cent of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel’s strikes.

The poll reflects a growing Republican backlash to the president’s threats to involve US forces in the escalating Middle East tensions without the approval of Congress.

“This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution,” Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican representative, wrote on X on Monday.

07:15 PM BST

‘Not if, but when’: Israeli officials expect US to join Iran war

Israeli officials are expecting the United States to join its offensive against Iran, according to local reports.

Two senior Israeli sources told Israel’s Channel 12 News they “would be very surprised if the Americans don’t join the offensive,” adding that “it’s not a question of if — but of when.”

They said it was hard to see President Trump “pulling back at this stage”, adding he will want to “join the attack from a clearly advantageous position.”

“Mentally, he’s in attack mode — not isolationism. Something truly exceptional would have to happen for him not to join,” they said.

07:08 PM BST

Netanyahu thanks Trump for ‘standing by our side’

The Israeli prime minister has thanked Donald Trump for “standing by our side”.

“We are in continuous communication, including last night—we had a very warm conversation,” said Benjamin Netanyahu in his daily video statement.

Mr Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel is suffering many “painful losses”, but said “the home front is strong, the people are steadfast, and Israel is stronger than ever.”

06:50 PM BST

France ‘strongly advises against all travel’ to Israel and Iran

President Macron has asked France’s foreign affairs ministry to facilitate the departure of French citizens who wish to leave Iran or Israel, the presidential palace said on Wednesday.

“We strongly advise against all travel to these two countries,” it added.

06:28 PM BST

One person lightly wounded by Iran attack, says Israel’s emergency service

A man has been “lightly wounded” following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, reported Magen David Adom, Israel’s ambulance service

The injury came after a fragment from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile struck a car on a highway in central Israel, it said, adding that the man is fully conscious.

 

06:08 PM BST

Iran was not trying to build weapon, says UN nuclear watchdog

The UN-backed nuclear watchdog does not believe Iran was attempting to build nuclear weapon, its chief said on Wednesday.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told Sky News it “could not affirm there is any systematic effort in Iran at the moment to manufacture a nuclear weapon.”

But Mr Grossi said “there were elements for concern” as the IAEA’s report, which has been widely cited by Israel, found Iran is enriching 60 per cent uranium - the only country in the world doing so.

“But as to saying they are building and manufacturing a nuclear weapon - no, we didn’t say that,” he said.

Mr Grossi warned there “is always the possibility of a radiological event” when a nuclear site is hit, such as the “dispersion of nuclear material in the atmosphere”.

Credit: Reuters

05:59 PM BST

No immediate impact or injury, says Israel

There have been no immediate reports of impacts in urban areas or injuries in Iran’s ballistic missile attack, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service.

A small number of missiles were fired from Iran in the attack, according to initial Israeli Defence Force (IDF) assessments.

The IDF issued an early warning around 10 minutes before sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and surrounding cities in central Israel.

05:51 PM BST

IDF: Iran attacks Israel for sixth consecutive day

05:48 PM BST

Iran in ‘near-total internet blackout’, says UK-based watchdog

Iran is in the midst of a “near-total national internet blackout”, a UK-based watchdog has said.

We reported earlier that Tehran’s ministry of communication said it would “temporarily impose restrictions on internet access (see post at 5:31pm).

“The incident follows a series of earlier partial disruptions and comes amid escalating military tensions with Israel after days of back-and-forth missile strikes,” NetBlocks wrote on X.

05:41 PM BST

Fresh missiles launched from Iran, Israeli military says

Ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel, the Israeli military has said.

“A short while ago, the IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the army said in a statement.

Israeli defence are working to intercept the threat, it added.

Sirens are sounding across central Israel, according to social media reports.

05:31 PM BST

Iran to cut internet access, says ministry of communication

Iran will temporarily impose restrictions on internet access, its ministry of communication has said.

The move is to prevent “the enemy from threatening citizens’ lives and property”, the ministry said in a statement.

05:26 PM BST

Sen. Graham: When Trump ‘says no nukes for Iran, he means it’

Senator Lindsey Graham said president Trump was “very focused, very calm” when discussing offensive action against Iran on Tuesday.

“I feel like when he says no nukes for Iran, he means it. He gave them a chance for diplomacy,” Mr Graham told CNN.

“I think they made a miscalculation when it comes to President Trump,” he added.

Mr Graham said Trump offered “no timetable” for taking offensive action against Iran, adding that “the sooner we end this threat, the better for mankind.”

05:14 PM BST

Pictured: First flights bring stranded Israelis home

The first Israelis have returned home after the government gave permission to resume flights for people who had been stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran.

Israel’s airspace has been closed since Israel and Iran began trading attacks on Friday, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled.

Passenger flights are still not allowed to leave Israel. El Al Airlines, Israel’s flagship carrier, has cancelled all scheduled flights up to 23 June.

05:02 PM BST

Iranian presidential plane amongst procession heading to Oman, say analysts

Three Iranian aircraft including the presidential plane are flying towards Oman, aviation analysts have said.

Experts, citing flight tracking sights, said they expect Iranian negotiators are headed for ceasefire talks. There has been no official comment.

The planes are not en route to meet US negotiators, The Telegraph understands.

Oman has brokered recent talks between the US and Iran on its nuclear program until Israel attacked Iran last Friday.

Earlier, Iran’s mission to the UN said “Iran does not negotiate under duress” and “shall not accept peace under duress” (see post at 3:51pm).

04:40 PM BST

US working to evacuate citizens from Israel, ambassador says

The United States is working to evacuate US citizens from Israel by air and sea, the US ambassador said on Wednesday.

Mike Huckabee said the US embassy in Jerusalem is working on arranging “evacuation flights and cruise ship departures”, he wrote on X.

He urged Americans in the country to “enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program” to be alerted with updates.

04:33 PM BST

Trump to have lunch with Pakistan’s most powerful man

Pakistan’s most powerful man is having lunch at the White House today with Donald Trump.

Field Marshall Asim Munir is not the nation’s prime minister or president. He is chief of the army staff. It is highly unusual for him to meet the president like this.

Perhaps the most recent example was 2010. But even then the chief of the army staff was meeting with other officials and Barack Obama dropped in on their meeting for a few minutes.

It comes after tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir erupted into conflict last month.

“I stopped the war between Pakistan and India,” Mr Trump told reporters when asked about the lunch. “This man was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi, from the India side.”

At the same time, Pakistan has been signalling that it is interested in closer ties with Washington and is not necessarily squarely on Team China.

And it shares a long border with Iran, so Mr Trump may also want to see where Pakistan’s top brass stands in relation to possible US strikes against its nuclear facilities.

04:13 PM BST

Pictured: Smoke rises above Tehran after Israeli strike

03:55 PM BST

US military ‘prepared to execute’ any Trump decision, Hegseth says

The US military is “prepared to execute” any decision President Donald Trump might make on matters of war and peace, said Washington’s defence secretary on Wednesday.

Pete Hegseth declined to confirm whether he provided President Trump with options to strike Iran, saying he “wouldn’t disclose that” in a public senate hearing.

03:51 PM BST

Iran denies reaching out to White House

Iran has denied it ever reached out to the White House and says it will “not accept peace under duress”.

“No Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House,” said Iran’s mission to the UN on X.

“Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” it added.

It warned that “Iran shall respond to any threat with a counter-threat, and to any action with reciprocal measures.”

03:28 PM BST

Britain discussing military support for US

Britain is considering whether to provide military support to the US if Donald Trump decides to join Israel’s war against Iran.

Sir Keir Starmer is set to chair a Cobra meeting with senior security officials and ministers this afternoon to discuss the conflict in the Middle East.

Ministers are expected to discuss how to respond if the US president asks the UK for support in conducting strikes in Iran.

Britain shares Diego Garcia airbase base in the Indian Ocean, which could be used as a launchpad for any strikes against Tehran.

Stationed at the base are America’s B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which carry so-called “bunker busting” bombs capable of destroying Iran’s underground Fordo site.

03:27 PM BST

Analysis: What’s behind Trump’s Iran ambiguity?

Donald Trump is using a familiar play book on Iran: Keep everything on the table and leave the world guessing. Will he join Israel’s strikes against nuclear facilities? “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said on the South Lawn of the White House.

He offered a sarcastic take on journalists’ questions. “Would you please inform us so we can be there and watch?” he said, suggesting it would be foolish to outline his plans.

The president made a dramatic exit from the G7 summit on Monday, triggering feverish speculation that he was about to launch American bombers. Since then he has hunkered down with his national security team and issued bellicose tweets.

Does he have a plan or is he dithering at a pivotal moment in his presidency? Or is the theatre designed to push Iran back to negotiations on more favourable terms.

We’ll find out in the next few days.

03:13 PM BST

Trump says Iran wants White House talks

Trump claimed that Iran’s negotiators suggested they “may come to the White House”. He did not provide details.

He said he isn’t sure “how long” the conflict will last, describing Iran as totally defenceless, with no air defence whatsoever.

“Two very simple words: unconditional surrender,” he said. “I’ve had it.”

Trump said he believed the Iranians have “bad intentions” for their nuclear programme.

“They had bad intentions, you know, for 40 years they’ve been saying death to America, death to Israel, death to anybody else that they didn’t like anywhere,” he added.

03:07 PM BST

Trump says he ‘may or may not’ strike Iran

Trump declined to answer reporters’ questions on whether the US was planning to strike Iran or its nuclear facilities, and said the Iranians had reached out but he feels &