Putin says Iran-Israel deal that suits both sides “possible”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a deal to end the fighting between Israel and Iran was possible, and that Israel”s strikes on Iran had led to a “consolidation” of Iranian society around its leadership..Iran-Israel conflict: Cancellations of flights to Dubai spike from non-regional hubs.He added that he did “not even wish to discuss” the idea Israel might assassinate Iran”s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei..”We see that today in Iran there is a consolidation of society around the country”s political leadership,” Putin told foreign journalists, including AFP, at a televised event..Israel-Iran conflict: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran will “never surrender”, warns off US.”This is a delicate issue, and of course we need to be very careful here, but in my opinion, a solution can be found,” he added..Putin said such an agreement could guarantee both Israel”s security and Iran”s desire for a civilian nuclear programme..Israel said its surprise air campaign was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — an ambition Tehran denies..Israel-Iran conflict: Israeli military says striking Tehran, other parts of Iran.”I believe it would be good for all of us together to look for ways to stop the fighting and seek ways for the participants in the conflict to find an agreement,” he said..Putin said there were more than 200 Russian employees at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran which was built by Russia”s Rosatom..”We agreed with the leadership of Israel that their security would be ensured,” he said..He said Russia could “continue” to work with Iran on its civilian nuclear programme and “ensure their interests in this sphere”..US President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to rebuff Putin”s earlier offer to mediate in the conflict, saying the Russian president should end his own conflict in Ukraine first..”I spoke to him yesterday and… he actually offered to help mediate, I said “do me a favor, mediate your own,”” Trump told reporters as he unveiled a giant new flag pole at the White House..Russia has deepened military ties with Iran since Moscow launched its campaign in Ukraine in 2022, and in January they inked a far-ranging strategic partnership agreement..Kyiv and its allies have long accused Iran of supplying Russia with drones and short-range missiles, but Putin said at his press event that Iran hadn”t asked for military help since Israel”s assault..The assault on Ukraine and the war in Gaza have strained Moscow”s traditionally good relations with Israel, home to a large Russian-born community.
Source: AFP
Inside Iran’s Fordow nuclear site: Buried in a mountain, bombproof and cloaked in secrecy
Dubai: At the centre of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict stands Iran’s most secretive and fortified nuclear site: The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant..Hidden deep beneath a mountain near the city of Qom, Fordow is one of Iran’s most protected nuclear facilities. .Missiles hit Israel as Iran nuclear sites targeted in Day 3 of conflict.Its underground construction — buried 80 (260 feet) to 90 metres below the surface — makes it virtually immune to aerial strikes, even from Israel’s most advanced bunker-buster bombs. .Built in secrecy and exposed only in 2009 through Western intelligence, Fordow was designed for survival, especially in the event of military action targeting Iran’s nuclear programme..What alarms global powers most is Fordow’s capability to enrich uranium to levels approaching weapons-grade. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the plant now houses 2,700 centrifuges and is enriching uranium to 60% purity — just a short technical leap from the 90 per cent required for nuclear weapons. .Israel-Iran conflict: Critical damage dealt to key Iranian nuclear site, IAEA says.In 2023, uranium enriched to 83.7 per cent purity was detected at the site, edging dangerously close to weapons-grade material. Where are Iran’s nuclear facilities?Natanz: Revealed in 2002, Natanz is Iran’s largest nuclear site with two enrichment plants—an underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and an above-ground pilot facility (PFEP). It has been at the centre of tensions with the West.Fordow: Dug deep into a mountain near Qom, Fordow is Iran’s most fortified site. Originally banned from enrichment under the 2015 deal, it now runs about 2,000 centrifuges, including IR-6 machines enriching up to 60%. Its secrecy and depth make it a top concern.Isfahan: Home to a major nuclear centre, Isfahan houses a uranium conversion facility, fuel plate plant, and centrifuge part production. It also stores enriched uranium and contains equipment capable of producing uranium metal, a key bomb component.Khondab (Arak): This heavy-water reactor can produce plutonium, another bomb fuel. It was partially dismantled under the 2015 deal but is now expected to start operations in 2026 after redesign.Tehran: The capital hosts Iran’s nuclear research centre, including a research reactor.Bushehr: Iran’s only active nuclear power plant, fueled and managed by Russia, limiting its proliferation risk..Five tunnels.Satellite images reveal a vast complex: Five tunnels dug into the mountains, a large support structure, and a wide security perimeter. Though little is visible on the surface, the facility’s sheer scale and secrecy have fuelled global speculation since it was first acknowledged in 2009..Fordow’s enrichment halls lie so deep — an estimated 262 to 295 feet below ground — that no known Israeli weapon can destroy it from the air. .UN nuclear watchdog board finds Iran isn’t complying with its obligations.As Iran reels from recent Israeli strikes, some analysts believe Fordow could become the site where Iran rapidly converts its stockpiled uranium into a nuclear weapon, if it chooses to cross that line..While Israel has reportedly targeted the area, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has neither succeeded in damaging the site nor proven willing to escalate that far. .Iran continues to insist its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, but Fordow remains the focal point of international concern..As former US President Barack Obama said in 2009 — when he, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed the site’s existence — “The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful programme.”.What is the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant?.The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is Iran’s most secretive and fortified nuclear facility, located near Qom, about 95km southwest of Tehran. .Built deep beneath a mountain, it is designed to withstand military strikes and continue uranium enrichment even during conflict..Why is Fordow so critical in the Iran-Israel conflict?.Fordow is central because of its ability to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels. With 2,700 centrifuges currently enriching uranium up to 60%— and traces of 83.7 per cent detected — it poses a serious proliferation threat. That’s why global powers and Israel are watching it closely..How deep is Fordow and why is that important?.The facility lies 80 to 90 metres underground (262–295 feet), buried beneath a mountain. This depth makes it virtually impenetrable to airstrikes, even from advanced bunker-busting bombs possessed by Israel, which lacks the capability to destroy it unilaterally..When was Fordow built and how was it discovered?.Construction likely began between 2002 and 2004, though Iran publicly acknowledged its existence only in 2009 after it was exposed by Western intelligence. Historical satellite imagery confirmed tunnelling and structural work years earlier..What does Fordow produce and how close is it to nuclear weapons capability?.Fordow enriches uranium, and recent IAEA reports confirm production at 60 per cent purity, with traces of 83.7 per cent — alarmingly close to the 90 per cent required for nuclear weapons. Analysts believe Iran could convert its stockpile into material for nine nuclear bombs within three weeks if it chose to..Has Israel tried to strike Fordow?.Yes. Israel has targeted the facility in recent military operations, but it remains intact, according to the IAEA. The site’s depth, mountain cover, and air defences make it nearly impossible to destroy from the air without US support..Can Israel destroy Fordow on its own?.No. According to US and international defence analysts, only the US Air Force possesses the GBU-57 A/B “Massive Ordnance Penetrator,” a bomb capable of partially penetrating Fordow’s defences. Even then, multiple precision strikes would be required, delivered by a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber — aircraft only the US operates..What other strategies could disable Fordow?.Experts suggest that targeting tunnel entrances, ventilation shafts, or electrical infrastructure could temporarily disable the facility. Such a strike might delay operations for months but would not fully eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities..Why is Fordow viewed as inconsistent with a peaceful nuclear programme?.According to former US President Barack Obama, the facility’s size and design contradict Iran’s claims of peaceful intent. Built in secret, deeply buried, and capable of quickly producing weapons-grade uranium, Fordow lacks the hallmarks of a civilian nuclear site..What role does the US play in addressing the Fordow threat?.Only the US has the specialised aircraft and bunker-busting munitions capable of targeting Fordow. Whether Washington chooses military action remains a political decision. As Israel’s ambassador to the US stated, “That’s a decision the United States has to take.”
Source: Stephen N R
Juventus thump Al Ain in Club World Cup after Trump visit
Washington: Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both bagged braces as Juventus hammered Al Ain 5-0 on Wednesday in their Club World Cup opener following a trip to the White House..The Italian giants, who sent a delegation to visit US President Donald Trump earlier in the day, cruised to the top of Group G above Manchester City, who beat Wydad AC..Where to Watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Dubai.Some Juventus players and staff were asked by Trump, whom they presented with a club shirt, whether they thought a woman would be able to make their first team..Juve general manager Damien Comolli replied that the club had a “very good women”s team”..The Juventus players stayed silent but were far more comfortable speaking on the pitch as they dismantled UAE”s Al Ain at Audi Field in front of 18,000 fans..”You don”t go to the White House every day, so it was a real pleasure to go there,” said Juventus coach Igor Tudor..”(In the game) we did a number of excellent things, we played at a good tempo… all things considered it”s a good start.”.Kolo Muani, who extended his loan from Paris Saint-Germain to play in the tournament in the United States, opened the scoring after 11 minutes with a header from Alberto Costa”s cross..Juventus doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Conceicao, on loan from Porto, skipped away from one defender in the box before firing home with the help of a deflection. .Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz netted the third after 31 minutes, carving out some space on the edge of the box and drilling in at the near post..French striker Kolo Muani grabbed his second with a deft finish in first-half stoppage time to pile on the misery for Al Ain..Kouame Autonne had a goal disallowed for offside for the UAE side before Conceicao struck again, benefitting from another slight deflection..Kolo Muani might have completed his hat-trick when sent through but goalkeeper Rui Patricio shut him down well, and Douglas Luiz blasted narrowly off-target late on..”Great game”.Juventus, who finished fourth in Serie A, are hoping to make up for a trophyless season with success in the United States this summer..”The team had a great game, we”re happy, we”ll get ready for the next game,” said Kolo Muani..”I just want to play well for my team-mates, for the club, and we”ll see (how many I can) score.”.It is unlikely to get any easier for Al Ain as they next face Pep Guardiola”s Manchester City in Atlanta..”We respected (Juventus) more than we needed to at the beginning and this was something that let them score two or three goals easily,” said Al Ain”s Serbian coach Vladimir Ivic..”We”re at the World Cup and we played against such a good team… what (is there) to do? We have to think about the next one.”.rbs/pst.© Agence France-Presse
Source: AFP