Fact Check: "The Fordow facility is located some 100 km southwest of Tehran."
What We Know
The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) is an underground uranium enrichment facility in Iran. According to multiple sources, the Fordow facility is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Qom, which is itself about 160 km southwest of Tehran (Wikipedia, Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant). This means that the claim stating the Fordow facility is "some 100 km southwest of Tehran" is inaccurate.
Analysis
The claim appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the facility's geographical location. The Fordow facility is indeed situated near Qom, which is southeast of Tehran, not southwest. The distance from Tehran to Qom is approximately 160 km, making the Fordow facility significantly farther than the claimed 100 km southwest (Wikipedia, Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant).
Several recent articles have also reported on the Fordow facility's location, consistently noting its proximity to Qom rather than Tehran. For example, a report from the Associated Press states that the facility is located about 75 miles (approximately 120 km) southwest of Tehran, which still contradicts the claim (AP News).
The reliability of the sources confirming the Fordow facility's actual location, such as Wikipedia and specialized reports on Iran's nuclear facilities, is high. These sources are well-regarded for their factual accuracy and are frequently updated to reflect the latest information.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "the Fordow facility is located some 100 km southwest of Tehran" is false. The Fordow facility is located approximately 32 km northeast of Qom, which is about 160 km southwest of Tehran. This significant discrepancy in distance indicates that the claim is inaccurate.
Sources
- Nuclear facilities in Iran - Wikipedia
- Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
- Israel's next target is Fordo, a nuclear site hidden in ...
- AP Explains: Iran's nuclear facility deep inside a mountain
- Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
- What to know about Iran's nuclear sites
- Where are the key facilities hiding Iran's nuclear program?
- What to know about Iran's nuclear sites