The Path to a New Iran Deal
Foreign AffairsNov 26, 2022
Report: US Bombs Unlikely to Reach Underground Iran Nuclear Site
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Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
In the Zagros Mountains region of central Iran, workers are reportedly building a nuclear facility so deep underground that it's unlikely to be destroyed by conventional US weapons designed to destroy such sites, according to experts and the Associated Press.
Construction is reportedly underway on a new underground facility at a site near Natanz. Pictures show that the facility will be built next to an above-ground centrifuge manufacturing center that was struck by an explosion and fire in July 2020; Tehran confirmed that the new site will replace the damaged facility.
The Spin
Anti-Iran narrative
If the Iranian facility would be completed, it would be a nightmare scenario for the US — and Israel — that would send US-Iranian relations into a new escalatory spiral. If Iran managed to acquire a nuclear weapon, it would cross several US and Israeli red lines. Diplomacy is the best way to prevent conflict. However, the White House has said that the president has not removed any option from the table.
Pro-Iran narrative
The only party to blame for increasing tensions between the US and Iran is Washington. Iran agreed to maintain a nuclear program only for civilian uses, but the US and Israel — both of which possess nuclear weapons — sought to inflame tensions. Iran wants peace and ultimately has no interest in arming itself with nuclear weapons, but Washington is forcing its hand.
