Israel Plans to Counter Fallout Risk as Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Continue

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – In the midst of ongoing military operations across Iran, an Israeli official has confirmed that the country is actively preparing to mitigate potential contamination resulting from strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

During a virtual briefing on Tuesday, the official, speaking on background, revealed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet targeted the underground Fordow complex—believed to be situated nearly 300 feet beneath the surface, about 20 miles from Qom—but indicated that additional raids are planned.

“We haven’t operated at Fordow to this moment, but that doesn’t mean we won’t,” the official said. “We have not finished and achieved all the goals of this operation. There was a lot of planning, a lot of thought about how to minimize the risk and damage for civilians.”

The official added that while no military action can guarantee zero risk, the IDF had carefully designed its campaign to avoid triggering a nuclear disaster. “There’s a process to understand what are the possible effects of these kinds of strikes on nuclear sites. The way we planned our operations… makes it very clear that that is not something that should happen.”

The remarks came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported “radioactive and chemical contamination” at the Natanz facility following an earlier Israeli strike. While IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said radiation levels outside Natanz remain unchanged, he noted the destruction of its above-ground facilities, with no apparent damage to subterranean sections.

The Israeli official cast doubt on the IAEA’s sourcing, stating that initial IDF assessments deemed the Natanz strike a success, though further analysis is underway.

Pressed about whether the IDF could effectively neutralize Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure without U.S. support, the official pointed to years of preparation and unspecified capabilities. “This is a well-planned operation… we have a few surprises up our sleeve. There is more to come,” they said, highlighting IDF innovations in targeting underground threats across the region.

The question of Israel’s ability to penetrate Iran’s fortified sites, like Fordow, has fueled speculation of potential U.S. involvement. The IDF is not known to possess the massive 15-ton bunker-buster munitions or the aircraft required to deliver them—assets that the U.S. military maintains.

Tensions heightened further as U.S. President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early, calling for the immediate evacuation of Tehran and warning that his administration was focused on “something much bigger” than a ceasefire.
Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

With U.S. forces moving into position across the region, the prospect of expanded conflict looms, as Israel signals that its campaign is far from over.

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