Netanyahu says Iran's Fordow may survive US strikes
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
The United States inflicted significant damage on Iran's nuclear facility in Fordow as a result of its strikes. However, the full extent of the damage still needs to be determined, CNN reports, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We will examine the situation. and in any case, we will ensure that there is no threat from these nuclear facilities," the Prime Minister emphasized during a press conference for local and foreign media.
The Head of government also stated that any political conditions did not accompany the US operation.
According to Netanyahu, Israel did not agree to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the American strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
"President Trump didn't put any conditions. This is not the nature of our relationship, I have to say. We speak openly. We speak as friends, genuine friends. And he's a great leader. He makes the decisions for America," Netanyahu said.
The Prime Minister also added that he was informed in advance about the start of the operation: "That's natural. Just as he (Trump - ed.) knew in advance when we would act, we knew in advance when he would act."
In response to a CNN question about the whereabouts of 400 kilograms of enriched uranium, Netanyahu said that Israel has "interesting intel" on its possible location.
"We've been following that very closely. I can tell you that it's an important component of a nuclear program. It's not the sole component. It's not a sufficient component. But it's an important component. But we have interesting intel on that with … you'll excuse me if I don't share with you," the Israeli Prime Minister added.
Strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
Starting on June 13, the Israel Defense Forces launched a large-scale military operation under the codename Rising Lion. Its main goal is the destruction of Iranian facilities associated with uranium enrichment and the potential development of nuclear warheads in the future.
After a series of strikes on several such sites, Israel reached out to the United States a few days ago with a request to help eliminate the remaining infrastructure located in hard-to-reach areas - underground and in the mountains.
On the night of June 22, the US Navy struck Iran's nuclear facilities located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using specialized "bunker-buster" bombs.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth declared that the US had completely destroyed Iran's nuclear program.
Later, Trump stated that "monumental damage" had been done to all facilities of Iran's nuclear program.
At the same time, some media report that the sites were damaged but not completely destroyed.
