In a significant escalation of rhetoric, President Donald Trump has vowed to target Iran's nuclear facilities located beneath what is referred to as "Mount Fortress." This declaration comes as U.S. strikes on Iranian targets have continued for the third consecutive night, further diminishing the prospects for successful diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. During an interview with an American radio program, Trump asserted that the United States would "eliminate the nuclear facilities beneath Mount Fortress," highlighting the site as a potential target for a significant and powerful strike. He indicated that military operations against Iran could last between two to three weeks, accusing Tehran of failing to adhere to a previously established memorandum of understanding.
Emphasizing vigilance, the American president noted that the U.S. is closely monitoring the site, although he currently does not observe any activity within it. Nonetheless, he stressed that the United States will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, stating that if Tehran were to acquire such arms, it would use them within a day. He also characterized Iran's military capabilities as having significantly diminished, suggesting that the Iranian regime has sustained impactful blows.
Trump's remarks coincided with Iranian reports of explosions heard in Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar, alongside the activation of air defenses in the southern part of the country. Iranian media outlets have reported the downing of an American drone, although Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed the nature of the targeted sites.
Understanding "Mount Fortress" and Its Implications
The name "Mount Fortress" has emerged in recent months as one of the most mysterious and fortified nuclear sites in Iran. According to estimates from experts and Western reports, the site is located near the Natanz nuclear facility and is built within a granite mountain at a depth exceeding 100 meters below the surface, making it more fortified than the well-known Fordo facility. The available information indicates that the site includes at least four tunnel entrances compared to only two at the Fordo facility, which provides it with enhanced resilience against aerial attacks, including American bunker-busting bombs. It is also believed that the site may be designated for uranium enrichment or to house parts of Iran's nuclear program away from the scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Analysts suggest that this site could potentially become the cornerstone of Iran's nuclear program in the future if quantities of enriched uranium are relocated there, making it one of the primary targets in any potential military escalation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
Trump's statements come amid a backdrop of escalating military confrontation between Washington and Tehran, following the collapse of the ceasefire that followed the recent conflict. Both parties have exchanged strikes targeting military sites and vessels in the Gulf region, raising concerns about the potential widening of the conflict in the near future.
As reported by kataeb.org.
