Former Mossad Chief Reveals Extensive Israeli Knowledge of Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site

Yossi Cohen, former head of Mossad, disclosed at the Galilee Conference that Israeli agents have extensively surveyed the sensitive Fordow nuclear enrichment facility in Iran. Cohen stated, "We toured the nuclear site in Fordow multiple times to understand it," highlighting Israel’s deep familiarity with the heavily fortified underground complex carved into a mountain. He described the American airstrike on the site as "the fulfillment of all my dreams."

The Fordow facility is a multi-layered subterranean installation designed to withstand air attacks, featuring hundreds of meters of tunnels housing centrifuges and control systems, heavy gates, electronic security, cooling systems, and technical labs. It is engineered to remain operational even if communications are cut or it sustains external damage. Iran has upgraded the site with advanced centrifuges, including IR6, IR8, and possibly IR9 models, which enrich uranium much faster than older IR1 centrifuges.

According to a 2024 International Atomic Energy Agency report, uranium enrichment at Fordow reached up to 83.7 percent, nearing the 90 percent threshold required for a nuclear weapon. Since 2021, Iran has restricted continuous IAEA inspections at the site, though US and Israeli military satellites have monitored ongoing construction and operational changes.

Cohen also commented on the uranium enrichment level, stating that 60 percent enriched uranium is still far from weapons-grade. He praised the sophisticated and classified work done by the US Department of Defense on similar facilities, emphasizing the technical expertise involved in maintaining combat capabilities. Cohen cautioned against definitive conclusions about Iran’s nuclear program status post-strike, warning that uncertainty remains and that the realities of warfare mean outcomes may differ from expectations.

Iran continues to deny any intention to develop nuclear weapons, claiming its nuclear activities are for medical research and civilian purposes.