Fact Check: "Iran's underground nuclear facilities are unreachable by US bombing capabilities."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that Iran is constructing a new underground nuclear facility at the Natanz site, which is believed to be so deep that it may be beyond the reach of U.S. military capabilities, specifically designed "bunker buster" bombs. According to an analysis by the Associated Press, satellite imagery shows that this facility is being built at a depth of approximately 80 to 100 meters (260 to 328 feet) underground, making it difficult for conventional airstrikes to effectively target it (AP News).
The U.S. has previously employed Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), which are capable of penetrating significant depths of concrete and earth, to strike Iranian nuclear sites like Fordow. However, the effectiveness of these weapons against deeper facilities is uncertain (BBC News). The construction of the new facility at Natanz complicates the situation further, as it may provide Iran with enhanced protection against aerial attacks (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Iran's underground nuclear facilities are unreachable by U.S. bombing capabilities is partially true. While it is accurate that the new facility at Natanz is being built at a depth that exceeds the penetration capabilities of some U.S. munitions, it is important to note that the U.S. has developed specific weapons, such as the GBU-57 MOP, designed for targeting hardened underground facilities. These bombs can penetrate up to 61 meters (200 feet) of earth or 18 meters (60 feet) of concrete, which suggests that while some facilities may be out of reach, others could still be targeted effectively (BBC News, Scientific American).
Moreover, the effectiveness of airstrikes is contingent on various factors, including the specific design and depth of the facility, the type of munitions used, and the operational context at the time of an attack. The presence of advanced defensive measures around these sites, such as anti-aircraft systems and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, further complicates potential military operations (AP News).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is generally high. The Associated Press is a well-respected news organization known for its journalistic standards, and the information presented is corroborated by satellite imagery and expert analysis. However, it is essential to consider that some reports may carry inherent biases, particularly those from sources with political affiliations or agendas (BBC News, Scientific American).
Conclusion
The claim that "Iran's underground nuclear facilities are unreachable by US bombing capabilities" is partially true. While the depth of the new facility at Natanz may indeed make it difficult for certain U.S. munitions to reach it, the existence of specialized weapons capable of targeting underground sites suggests that not all facilities are beyond reach. The overall effectiveness of a military strike would depend on multiple factors, including the specific characteristics of the facility and the operational context.
