Ex-US President Donald Trump has asserted that an Israeli spy agent was on the ground as a strike occurred on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility and witnessed personally its “complete destruction.” The sensational claim follows escalating tensions in the aftermath of the recent Israel-Iran conflict and comes amidst new scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump Asserts Spy Was on Ground at Time of Attack
In a public speech at the NATO gathering in the Netherlands, Trump accused Israel of having penetrated one of Iran’s most secure nuclear sites. “They inserted an individual in — an agent. He was there and observed it all. Total destruction,” Trump said of the claimed Israeli bombing of the Fordow nuclear facility near the city of Qom, according to Asia Times.
While Trump did not provide any immediate evidence to back the assertion, his revelation has already sparked new global controversy surrounding clandestine operations, nuclear security, and Israeli intelligence operations in the Middle East.
Fordow Strike: What We Know So Far
Previous accounts by Israeli media and American intelligence indicated that the Fordow nuclear facility — long regarded as a central part of Iran’s uranium enrichment program — had been badly damaged in a series of targeted attacks conducted during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.
Although the Iranian regime has indicated that there was no devastating destruction at Fordow, satellite images and leaks from Western sources have suggested substantial structural damage. The plant, constructed deep underground, was perceived to be virtually invulnerable to air-based attacks.
No Confirmation Yet from Israel or Iran
Both the Israeli government and Iran’s leadership have thus far refused to comment on Trump‘s new assertions. Iranian officials had earlier, however, accused Israel of carrying out sabotage activities within their nuclear network.
Israeli officials, being close-mouthed about details of operations, have all along reiterated that they will not permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. “We will do what we must,” was one of the senior Israeli security officials to comment last week, refusing to go into detail regarding Fordow.
US Intelligence Hesitant to Confirm Fordow Destruction
Although Trump argued that the site was “fully and completely obliterated,” an intelligence US analysis leaked earlier this week stated that Fordow’s enrichment capability had been “severely degraded,” but not fully destroyed. The report claimed Iran’s nuclear program had been delayed by “several months.”
Fordow’s Strategic Significance
The Fordow uranium enrichment plant, which was discovered by Western spies in 2009, is hidden within a mountain and was intended to protect Iran’s nuclear program from possible airstrikes. Ever since, it has been a central issue in nuclear talks and arms control negotiations between Iran and the West.
The Fordow facility has been utilized to enrich uranium to 60% purity by the IAEA — near weapons-grade level — which received sharp criticism from the US, Israel, and European powers.
Increasing Fears of Nuclear Escalation
Trump’s words come as Iran’s parliament recently approved legislation at a faster-than-usual pace that would suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Iran will not be permitted to restore or increase its enrichment activities.
Analysts worry that the increased rhetoric and clandestine behavior could undermine ongoing backchannel diplomacy aimed at averting wider war across the region.