Concerns Rise Over Iran's Nuclear Aspirations

According to a report by the American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal," Israeli and American officials have disclosed that Israeli intelligence estimates indicate Iran has relocated thousands of its uranium enrichment centrifuges to deep tunnels within Mount Faas during the fall of last year. This information was communicated to the United States by Israel, underscoring that the transfer of these centrifuges occurred following an Israeli military operation in June 2025, which targeted three of Iran's most prominent nuclear sites.

The report suggests that this intelligence sharing was part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to resume military strikes against Iran, aiming to slow down its nuclear program and hinder its rehabilitation efforts of nuclear facilities. Following these discussions, Trump reportedly showed a willingness for the United States to target the site within the mountain.

Net Swanson, a former official responsible for Iran at the U.S. National Security Council during President Joe Biden's administration, stated, "The rush towards acquiring a nuclear weapon is the worst-case scenario. We do not know Iran's intentions, but our inability to verify what is happening at this site highlights the gravity of the current situation. The International Atomic Energy Agency must be allowed to inspect this facility."

The report further notes that Mount Faas was not among the targets bombed in previous Israeli military operations. However, officials have expressed concerns that Iran may utilize the mountain's tunnels for storing or manufacturing nuclear equipment, or even establishing a small uranium enrichment facility capable of producing fissile materials suitable for creating a nuclear weapon.

Additionally, the newspaper quoted an Israeli military official familiar with the details of the strikes, who indicated that air attacks have not sufficiently targeted sites associated with Iran's nuclear weapons program, adding that "there is more work to be done, including in the mountain area."

As reported by hawarnews.com.