Atomic center of Iran
The US has attacked three Iran’s nuclear bases. The US Air Force bombed Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan and Natanj atomic hideouts through B-2 stealth bombers. The US claims that Iran’s nuclear hideouts have been completely demolished in this attack. The attack has also been confirmed by Iran, but it has not been disclosed. Here we are showing pictures of the three Iran nuclear bases where the US has attacked.
Prior to the US, Israel also tried to target these nuclear bases of Iran. The Israeli attack also caused losses in Isfahan and Natanj, but Israel had no weapons to damage the Fordo nuclear center built 250 feet below the land. For this reason, the US had to attack Iran to stop making atomic bombs. However, the US says that this attack has no connection with Israel.
Fordo fuel enrichment plant
Iran’s Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant is also known as Shaheed Ali Mohammadi Nuclear Facility. It is built in a depth of 80-90 meters (about 262–295 ft) inside a mountain near the city of Kom, about 95 km south-west of Tehran. It is Iran’s second most important uranium enhancement center, which comes after Natanj. Uranium is mainly promoted in Fordo. This process is performed to increase the concentrations of uranium-235, which may be used for fuel or potentially nuclear weapons for nuclear reactors. According to the International Nuclear Energy Agency, the Fordo employs around 2,700 centrifuge (uranium -purifying machines), out of which 350 centers promote uranium up to 60% purity. In 2023, a uranium with 83.7% purity was found here, which is just one step behind 90% of the weapon-grade level.
Fordo
Ability to make nuclear weapons in Fordo
Western intelligence agencies and experts believe that Fordo may be the primary center of Iran, where the enhanced uranium can be converted into a nuclear weapon, if Iran makes such a decision. According to the Institute for Science and International Security, it is possible to produce arms-grade uranium in Fordo, and it can make at least two nuclear weapons every year. Iran claims that her atomic program in Fordo is completely peaceful, such as making isotopes for medical and energy production. The international nuclear power agency has also admitted that the design and size of this plant is not suitable for peaceful use.
Fords specialty
The plant is built under 80-90 meters thick rocks of the mountain. Its protection is Russia’s S-300 air defense system and Iranian special force. It was considered almost impermeable by air strikes. Israel also attacked Fordo, but it caused limited losses. Fordo uses hi-tech IR-6 centrifugas, which promote uranium faster than older models.
Natanj Nuclear Center
This atomic center is located about 250 km south of Tehran in Isfahan province. It is the largest and most famous uranium enrichment center in Iran. There are fuel enrichment plants and pilot fuel enrichment plants, where uranium is improved. This feature is mainly designed to increase the purity of uranium-235 from 3.5% to 20%, which is used as fuel for atomic reactors. In recent years, Iran has reported up to 60% promotion, close to weapon-grade (90%).
Natanj
Natanj’s specialty
Natanj has two large halls, which adjust thousands of centrifuge. It promotes extensively compared to Fordo. Natanj is an important part of Iran’s nuclear program. Due to its destruction, Iran’s nuclear program is almost over. Natanj is protected by air defense systems and military security, but it is not in deep mountains like Fordo, so it is more sensitive to air strikes.
Ford, Natanj, Isfahan Ki Compare
|
City |
Main function |
place |
Security |
Strategic importance |
Attack sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fordo |
High-level uranium enhancement (up to 60%) |
Inside the mountain |
Extremely safe |
Nuclear weapon probability |
Very few (needs of GBU-57 and B-2) |
|
Natanj |
Large -scale uranium enhancement |
Partially underground |
Medium safe |
Nuclear program center |
Medium (threat to bunker-bombs bomb) |
|
Isfahan |
Uranium conversion, research |
on the surface |
less secure |
Fuel cycle |
High (Easy for air strikes) |
Isfahan Atomic Center
Isfahan city is in the middle of Iran, about 100 kilometers south of Natanj. It is a nuclear research and production center. Isfahan has uranium conversion facility, where uranium ore is converted into uranium hexaphloride gas. This is used for centrifugas in enrichment centers such as gas natanj and Fordo. This feature is an important part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear Technology Center in Isfahan is used for nuclear research, reactor design, and medical isotope production. Here is the miniature neutron source reactor, which is used for research and training. Isfahan has a fuel manufacturing plant, which makes fuel rods and plates for nuclear reactors.
Isfahan
Importance of Isfahan
Isfahan facilities are mostly on the surface, making it more sensitive to air strikes. This is the starting point of Iran’s nuclear fuel cycle. If it is destroyed, the supply of raw materials (UF6) for uranium enhancement in Natanj and Fordo may stop. Isfahan is less controversial than Fordo and Natanj, as it mainly focuses on conversion and research.
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