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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Inside Iran's concrete-encased nuke fortress buried under a mountain & ringed by air defences that Israel MUST destroy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IRAN's most heavily fortified nuclear base which Israel must destroy is hidden deep inside a mountain and surrounded by air defences. The infamous Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is the paragon of the Ayatollah's nuclear programme and a symbol of the regime's technological capabilities. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear base is unscathed following Israeli strikes Credit: AFP 13 The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is the crown jewel of Iran's nuclear programme Credit: AFP 13 Strikes between Israel and Iran come after Tel Aviv accused Tehran of making a nuclear bomb Credit: AFP 13 Located just 100 miles south of the capital Tehran, Fordow is one of two nuclear enrichment sites in the country. The other, which is based in Natanz, was reportedly partially destroyed as part of Israel's operation Rising Lion. The precise missile blitz aimed at crippling Tehran's nuclear weapon developments come as Iran and Israel teeter on the brink of all out war. Both sides continue to exchange deadly missile strikes, following Tel Aviv accusing Tehran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb last week. Despite Israeli airstrikes successfully killing 14 Iranian nuclear scientists, wiping out top military brass and destroying key buildings - Fordow remains unscathed. Buried deep inside the mountains with key facilities embedded up to 100 metres underground, Fordow remains to be a challenging target. Its key purpose is pumping out enriched uranium - critical to developing nuclear warheads. Centrifuges hidden deep down in the bunker are reportedly enriching uranium at up to 60 per cent, just below the crucial 90 per cent needed to create a nuclear weapon. Explaining the goals of operation Red Lion, Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said that "the entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.' The key bunker has even been branded as the 'the be-all and end-all of Iran's nuclear operation'. Iran launches missiles at Israel after 'revenge' vow over nuclear site attacks Former Middle East diplomat Brett McGurk said: 'If you don't get Fordow, you haven't eliminated their ability to produce weapons-grade material.' Protected within an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp base, the mountainous site is heavily surveilled. Guard towers stand 25 metres apart, primed air defences ring the perimeter, and a support headquarters is stationed nearby. Satellite imagery shows two massive rings of steel fencing around the site - each with heavily armed checkpoints along the entrance road. Up to three tunnel entrances can be seen in the centre - each one heavily guarded. 13 Firefighters work at the site on a strike in Tel Aviv Credit: Reuters 13 The base is heavily protected by air defences and has been built into a mountain Credit: AFP 13 Fordow is protected against a range of conventional bomb attacks and could potentially even fend off hugely powerful so-called "bunker buster" bombs. The world's largest bomb is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, delivered by B-2 bombers and exclusively made by the US. These may be enough to reach the base's deepest points, according to reports. But Washington has made its stance clear on the unilateral operation Red Lion, saying it would not directly get involved in Israel's conflict with Iran. The Ayatollah's pariah state has been enriching uranium at Fordow since September 2011. The site's existence was revealed two years before that, when British, French and US intelligence reports detailed a secret facility 'inconsistent with a peaceful [nuclear] programme.' The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. 13 A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility after an Israeli airstrike in Iran June 14 Credit: Reuters 13 Workers at an enrichment control room at a facility in Natanz, Iran's other nuclear enrichment base Credit: ITV 13 But last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had been producing 60 per cent purity uranium. This uranium would be capable of being further enriched to the 90 per cent weapons grade benchmark. Israel said this was proof that Iran was building a nuclear bomb -before launching their sophisticated missile blitz. On Monday, Pakistan warned they would nuke Israel, according to a senior Iranian general amid the deadly missile salvos across the Middle East. Strikes have been raining down across both countries for the last four days - with the US embassy in Tel Aviv now being damaged. Which Iranian military chiefs and scientists have been killed? ISRAEL has dealt a major blow to Iran's command chain - wiping out several of its top brass. Key nuclear scientists have also been eliminated in Israel's overnight strikes. Those killed include: Generals Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri , chief of staff of the armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , chief of staff of the armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Gen. Hossein Salami , commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Gen. Gholamali Rashid , deputy commander in chief of the armed forces , deputy commander in chief of the armed forces Ali Shamkhan , key adviser and confidant of Khamenei , key adviser and confidant of Khamenei Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi , the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran , the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Dr Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran Tension is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war with Pakistan also calling for the Islamic world to back Iran. America could also be pulled into the conflict, with Donald Trump warning the "full strength and might" of the US military would be used if American assets were targeted. Damage to the embassy was done during a third night of fierce missile exchange between Iran and Israel, with Benjamin Netanyahu claiming "regime change" in Tehran is imminent. Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador in Israel, said the embassy in Tel Aviv was damaged 'from concussions of Iranian missile hits' near the building but that no personnel were injured. Benjamin Netanyahu said just before his latest blitz that Iran is now "very weak" as he warned of an impending "regime change" in Tehran. 13 B-2 Bombers may be able to strike deep enough on Fordow base 13 Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Ashkelon, Israel Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Inside Iran's concrete-encased nuke fortress buried under a mountain & ringed by air defences that Israel MUST destroy
IRAN's most heavily fortified nuclear base which Israel must destroy is hidden deep inside a mountain and surrounded by air defences. The infamous Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is the paragon of the Ayatollah's nuclear programme and a symbol of the regime's technological capabilities. 13 Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear base is unscathed following Israeli strikes Credit: AFP 13 The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is the crown jewel of Iran's nuclear programme Credit: AFP 13 Strikes between Israel and Iran come after Tel Aviv accused Tehran of making a nuclear bomb Credit: AFP 13 Located just 100 miles south of the capital Tehran, Fordow is one of two nuclear enrichment sites in the country. The other, which is based in Natanz, was reportedly The precise missile blitz aimed at Both sides continue to exchange Despite Buried deep inside the mountains with key facilities embedded up to 100 metres underground, Fordow remains to be a challenging target . Its key purpose is pumping out enriched uranium - critical to developing nuclear warheads. Centrifuges hidden deep down in the bunker are reportedly enriching uranium at up to 60 per cent, just below the crucial 90 per cent needed to create a nuclear weapon. Most read in The US Sun Explaining the goals of operation Red Lion, Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said that "the entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.' The key bunker has even been branded as the 'the be-all and end-all of Iran's nuclear operation'. Iran launches missiles at Israel after 'revenge' vow over nuclear site attacks Former Middle East diplomat Brett McGurk said: 'If you don't get Fordow, you haven't eliminated their ability to produce weapons-grade material.' Protected within an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp base, the mountainous site is heavily surveilled. Guard towers stand 25 metres apart, primed air defences ring the perimeter, and a support headquarters is stationed nearby. Satellite imagery shows two massive rings of steel fencing around the site - each with heavily armed checkpoints along the entrance road. Up to three tunnel entrances can be seen in the centre - each one heavily guarded. 13 Firefighters work at the site on a strike in Tel Aviv Credit: Reuters 13 The base is heavily protected by air defences and has been built into a mountain Credit: AFP 13 Fordow is protected against a range of conventional bomb attacks and could potentially even fend off hugely powerful so-called "bunker buster" bombs. The world's largest bomb is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, delivered by B-2 bombers and exclusively made by the US. These may be enough to reach the base's deepest points, according to reports. But Washington has made its stance clear on the unilateral operation Red Lion, saying it would not Israel 's conflict with Iran. The Ayatollah's pariah state has been enriching uranium at Fordow since September 2011. The site's existence was revealed two years before that, when British, French and US intelligence reports detailed a secret facility 'inconsistent with a peaceful [nuclear] programme.' The Islamic Republic has long denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. 13 A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility after an Israeli airstrike in Iran June 14 Credit: Reuters 13 Workers at an enrichment control room at a facility in Natanz, Iran's other nuclear enrichment base 13 But last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had been This uranium would be capable of being further enriched to the 90 per cent weapons grade benchmark. Israel said this was proof that Iran was building a nuclear bomb -before launching their sophisticated missile blitz. On Monday, Pakistan warned they would nuke Israel, according to a senior Iranian general amid the deadly missile salvos across the Middle East. Strikes have been raining down across both countries for the last four days - with the US embassy in Tel Aviv now being damaged. Which Iranian military chiefs and scientists have been killed? ISRAEL has dealt a major blow to Iran's command chain - wiping out several of its top brass. Key nuclear scientists have also been eliminated in Israel's overnight strikes. Those killed include: Generals Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri , chief of staff of the armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Gen. Hossein Salami , commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Gen. Gholamali Rashid , deputy commander in chief of the armed forces Ali Shamkhan , key adviser and confidant of Khamenei Amir Ali Hajizadeh , commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi , the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Dr Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi , theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran Tension is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war with Pakistan also calling for the Islamic world to back Iran. America could also be pulled into the conflict, with Damage to the embassy was done during a third night of fierce missile exchange between Iran and Israel, with Read more on the Irish Sun Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador in Israel, said the embassy in Tel Aviv was damaged 'from concussions of Iranian missile hits' near the building but that no personnel were injured. Benjamin Netanyahu said just before his latest blitz that Iran is now "very weak" as he warned of an impending "regime change" in Tehran. 13 B-2 Bombers may be able to strike deep enough on Fordow base 13 Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Ashkelon, Israel Credit: Reuters 13 Damage over residential homes in Tel Aviv Credit: Reuters
Spectator
11-06-2025
- Spectator
The lure of St James's
Procrastination may be the thief of time, but in the right circumstances, it can be fun. The other day, I was enjoying myself in St James's, my favourite London arrondissement. There are delightful contrasts, from the grandeur of the royal palaces and the St James's Street clubs to the charming, intimate side streets and alleys with their pubs and restaurants. The late Jacob Rothschild would often cross from his palatial office in Spencer House to Crown Passage, in order to lunch at Il Vicolo (regularly praised here). His Lordship never bothered to reserve a table. Instead, he would send someone across with his form of booking: a bottle of Château Lafite. Crown Passage is also home to the Red Lion, one of the oldest hostelries in London. It has excellent beer, no music and no teenagers. One grows curmudgeonly with age. Though I never thought of Alan Clark as a pub habitué, he did visit the Red Lion, where he was indeed an egregious figure – to employ correctly just about the most misused adjective in current English. But he always seemed to enjoy himself: a change from Brooks's, perhaps. St James's is also full of art galleries and someone then said that there was an interesting exhibition round the corner in Mason's Yard. We went and were not disappointed. Harry Moore-Gwyn specialises in British art from the late 19th century onwards. His current offerings are all easily worth a visit. There are renowned names: Gwen John, Walter Sickert, Charles Rennie Mackintosh et al. But there were other figures whom I had never come across (so much the worse for me) such as Herbert Dalziel. However, I was particularly interested in Harry's Roger Frys. Fry, though no genius, was a serious painter who ought to be re-evaluated. Harry's walls offer much to enjoy, much to think about, much to covet, and after those pleasures, you are no distance from food and drink. Later on, our conversation moved on to another art form: winemaking. A friend had just come back from South Africa and was able to bring some good news from that benighted land. Since the passing of the old regime, the wine industry has flourished. Foreign markets are much easier, and there has been a lot of investment. It remains to be seen whether all this will continue to flourish as so much of that potentially glorious country succumbs to chaos. His Lordship would send someone across with his form of booking: a bottle of Château Lafite We heard one depressing non-economic story. Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country is much the finest literary work to come from South Africa. Everyone ought to read it. But a (white) youngster, educated at a good South African private school, had never even heard of it. Cry, indeed. South Africa has produced fine wine for centuries. But today the vineyards have spread outwards from the Stellenbosch region, especially to Swartland, which I have never visited. I am told that the winemakers are optimistic. Theirs is, of course, an optimistic profession. But let us hope they are right. The theme broadened to wine and war. During both world wars the French made remarkable quantities of wine, some of it excellent. Then again, for the poilus, wine was the equivalent of grog for the Royal Navy. If wine had not been available, the mutinies would have been much worse. Even so, miracles were achieved. I remember Alan Clark – no pub that day – treating David Owen and me to a bottle of 1916 La Mission Haut-Brion (in the Diaries, he says 'Latour' but I trust my own memory). Those grapes were ripening during the Somme. The grapes of wrath can produce great wine.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Slough man Usman Hanif jailed after single-punch killing in pub
A father-of-two who killed a man with a single punch in a pub after a woman complained of a sex assault has been jailed for three years and six Hanif, 29, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday after being convicted of the manslaughter of 54-year-old John Barry earlier this year following a of High Street, Langley, Slough, had hit Mr Barry in the face at the Red Lion in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, in July after hearing the allegation, prosecutors Jonathan Cooper described the circumstances of the case as "wholly exceptional". A woman had complained that she and another woman had been "touched" by Mr Barry as he made his way past them, jurors had Barry had then begun to walk back towards the who has involved in a car repair business, had initially pushed Mr Barry then punched him in the face. Mr Barry died from his injuries three days later."I sentence you on the basis that this blow was wholly unnecessary - and you knew it," Judge Cooper told Hanif."You were at the very least reckless."He added: "This was revenge and not defence." The judge said police had looked at CCTV evidence and it was "quite clear" that Mr Barry had touched the women said the women believed they had been the victim of a sex Cooper said the behaviour of both men had been out of said Hanif was a "good partner and father" and had a "great deal to offer" in the future. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
New Paper
01-06-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Mo lands first Group success with Pray For Mir in Lion Rock Trophy
HONG KONG - Cody Mo celebrated a breakthrough at Sha Tin on May 31, as lightweight chance Pray For Mir gave the Hong Kong trainer his first Group success in the HK$4.2 million (S$690,000) Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1,600m). Following the 47-year-old's record of 20 wins in his first campaign in 2023/24, Mo - who boasts a 68-horse stable of fresh talent and seasoned gallopers - has excelled in 2024/25 with 38 successes. "This is one of my targets for the season. Now, a dream has come true. I'm so happy - thanks to all my staff and the owners for their support," said Mo. Mo, who previously worked with legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, started his journey with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1994 as a work rider. He gained experience with David Ferraris and Benno Yung and, while with Cruz, he campaigned champion gallopers Silent Witness and Bullish Luck successfully abroad. One of three four-year-olds in the Lion Rock Trophy, Pray For Mir (Matthew Chadwick) quickly found the front from barrier 8 to make the running while Red Lion (Hugh Bowman) and Chancheng Glory (Luke Ferraris) settled behind the leader. Turning for home, Pray For Mir ($44) maintained his front spot as Chancheng Glory levelled up with him. Chadwick called on his mount at the 250m mark and Pray For Mir extended to win by ½ length over Chancheng Glory. Group 1 winner Beauty Eternal (James Orman) finished third. The winning time was 1min 33.83sec for the 1,600m on the turf. "He's (Pray For Mir) always been very honest, he just gets beat, unfortunately. The weight really helped today," said Chadwick. "He was left alone and he relaxed really well and when the other one (Chancheng Glory) put it to him, he just kept fighting and his quality just shone through." Consistent all season with one win and five placings, the son of Justify enhanced his earnings to HK$9.43 million from 15 starts in Hong Kong after arriving as a two-time winner from Sunshine Coast, Australia. "Today, Chadwick controlled the pace very well and the horse carried a light weight. At the end of the season, all the horses were maybe a bit tired and I kept him a bit fresh," said Mo. "He is a very honest horse. You can see he has so many seconds and only loses by a little bit. "We (Mo and Chadwick) have very good communication. This season, I have really been supporting local jockeys and I'm happy that we could win a Group 3 together." Mo and Chadwick have combined for 10 wins in 2024/25. The duo worked closely when Chadwick was apprenticed to Cruz, during which Mo worked as his work rider and assistant trainer. "We go way back when we were both training in Tony's stable and we've come through the ranks together, and it's great to be part of this with him," said Mo. Thriving in the absence of the world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express was rewarded for a season of remarkable consistency with deserved victory in the other feature race, the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1,200m). After finishing second five times and third twice to Ka Ying Rising in seven starts this campaign, Helios Express ($10) - ridden by Bowman - scrambled to a short-head victory over Invincible Sage, with Patch Of Theta 1¾ lengths away in third. Winning trainer John Size has also edged closer to a 13th Hong Kong trainers' championship at Sha Tin after wrapping up the day with a double. The Australian handler took his 2024/25 tally to 60, with a seven-win buffer over compatriot David Hayes (53) with 12 meetings left in the season. Besides Helios Express, Size also struck with Masterofmyuniverse ($7) as the talented gelding made it two successive wins with a slender victory in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Tai Wai Handicap (1,200m). Ridden by Zac Purton, Masterofmyuniverse speared through a narrow gap before denying Infinite Resolve by a nose to claim his fourth win in nine starts. HKJC
