Israel is preparing to destroy the fortified Fordow nuclear facility with ‘commando teams’

Israel is prepared to carry out a unilateral strike on Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility, according to a senior Israeli military official cited by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

“Israel has a plan for Fordow and the capability to execute it independently,” the unnamed official said, though no specific operational details were provided.

The Fordow facility, located roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the city of Qom in north-central Iran, is built deep within the mountains, posing a formidable challenge to any conventional military assault.

Ehud Eilam, a former Israeli Defense Ministry researcher, suggested that Israel may consider deploying numerous small penetrator bombs designed to breach fortified underground structures. He also referenced previous Israeli operations, such as the reported assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a subterranean Beirut bunker last September, as examples of Israel's ability to strike hardened targets.

“Israel could also pursue alternative tactics,” Eilam added, “including high-risk commando raids, cyberattacks, or targeted assassinations.”

Fordow is considered one of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear sites. Israel maintains that Iran is nearing the capability to produce a nuclear weapon—an accusation Tehran has repeatedly denied, insisting its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Tensions between the two nations have surged since last Friday, when Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeting both military and nuclear sites. In response, Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles.

According to Israeli authorities, the Iranian attacks have killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more. Iranian media, in turn, report that Israel’s retaliatory strikes have left 585 dead and over 1,300 wounded.