Amid ongoing tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Israel is contemplating how to target the Fordow underground enrichment site, particularly if U.S. President Donald Trump opts against direct military action.
The Fordow facility, located deep within a mountain south of Tehran, presents significant challenges due to its fortified structure and depth.
One tactical approach that Israel could utilize involves elite forces from Unit 5101, known as Shaldag, whose name, translating to kingfisher in Hebrew, symbolizes patience and strategic depth.
Recently, members of this elite unit astonished observers with their successful infiltration of an underground missile factory in Syria that was utilized by Iran.
Amos Yadlin, a former Israeli Military Intelligence Chief, shared insights in an exclusive interview, noting the similarities between the missile factory and Fordow.
“Despite being smaller, the Syrian facility was responsible for producing advanced ballistic missiles leveraging Iranian technology and funding,” Yadlin explained.
Israel attempted to neutralize the site through aerial strikes without full success, leading to the special operations unit’s intrusion at night—employing diversionary airstrikes to plant explosives and demolish the underground complex.
Yadlin recounted, “The Air Force handled perimeter security, while Shaldag executed the operation, ultimately obliterating the site.”
This example serves as yet another chapter in Israel’s history of executing complex operations against formidable odds. One notable mission was the 1981 bombing of Iraq’s Osirak reactor.
Yadlin himself was among the group of Israeli pilots undertaking that perilous flight, illustrating the audacity and precision required without the modern advantages of air refueling or GPS.
No stranger to operations designed to derail nuclear ambitions in the region, Yadlin oversaw the 2007 mission that destroyed a covert Syrian nuclear reactor, which had remained undiscovered to the global community.
During that time, the U.S. was not inclined to assist, highlighting Israel’s capability to act autonomously when deemed necessary.
The narrative of Israel’s operations has evolved, showcasing a range of tactics beyond airborne strikes. In 2008, recognizing the limitations of Israeli F-16s in reaching Iran’s nuclear sites, Yadlin directed Mossad to explore alternative strategies.
This ultimately led to the development of Stuxnet, a sophisticated computer worm that inflicted significant damage on Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts at Natanz, disrupting thousands of centrifuges and delaying Iran’s nuclear program.
Addressing the more significant challenge posed by Fordow, Israel believes that U.S. action involving B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs is essential for an effective strike.
Yadlin emphasized, “Anyone hoping for a swift conclusion to the conflict must find a method to tackle Fordow.”
He presented an argument that attacking the site could, against expectations, de-escalate tensions rather than escalate them.
Additionally, Yadlin articulated that such an action could signal military resolve to global powers, particularly China and Russia, thereby demonstrating the unique capabilities of the U.S. military.
Another strategic avenue for Israel includes disabling electrical power to the Fordow facility.
Without a power supply, the centrifuges powering Iran’s uranium enrichment would become inoperative, potentially jeopardizing the entire operation.
In a recent interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when questioned about the possibility of destroying Fordow without U.S. involvement, responded cryptically, stating, “We have quite a few startups too and quite a few rabbits up our sleeve. And I don’t think that I should get into that.”
As the geopolitical stakes continue to rise, both Israel and the U.S. remain poised to address the potential threats emanating from Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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