“End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity” ~llaw
Jun 18, 2025
(See the 1st article below for the description and photo credits of this image. ~llaw)
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion
Today I have posted two articles (one from the “The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists”, and the other from “Al Jazeera” that point out the serious dangers and contradictions of the actions taken by the U.S./Israel attack on the once-peaceful nuclear program(s) of Iran. And also keep in mind that it is very doubtful that Israel took it upon themselves to attack Iran in this manner, the facts seeming to show that it would not have happened without the U.S. and the actions, or lack of them, taken by Trump.
What could have been, beginning on March 5th (more than 90 days ago) Trump made a peaceful proposal by invitation to Iran to negotiate an Iranian nuclear program agreement that would satisfy both the U.S./Iran and other nations around the world. Trump had canceled the previous pact, agreed to under the Obama administration during his first presidency, and the assumption was that a new agreement would be similar to the prior one. But due to Trump’s constant contradictions and confusing inconsistent demands for changes to the original concept, the brief ongoing talks only created dissention and confusion between the two countries, and even though Trump had multiple times publicly told Israel’s Netanyahu that the new pact was “close” to an agreement to prevent an attack on Iran, the facts were that the talks had fallen apart and Netanyahu, either unilaterally or perhaps even with Trump’s clandestine approval, finally attacked Iran regardless of who was ultimately responsible.
And now all hell has broken loose, and Israel is begging for U.S. military help to restrain Iran from countering with its own missile return engagements against Israel, killing innocent citizens in the few days that the counter-attacks have been waged against Israel.
So the question today is, “Who is ultimately responsible for these attacks by and on both nations?” Without doubt I believe it is Donald J. Trump, who has, by his own actions, silenced any future talks for an agreement that Iran was more than willing to participate in, having accepted Trump’s invitation, but the contradictory demands that Trump was making weekly — changing the rules on the fly — succeeded (if that is the right word) in derailing any chance of a post-Obama era agreement with Iran.
I have carefully followed this story on a daily basis and have posted pertinent articles with my accompanying opinions over the entire period, and, as of today, I can only blame, without reservations, on the erroneous actions of Trump that has turned a mutually planned and workable agreement in the beginning to a “war” that is likely to become larger and more destructive each and every day, including involving other countries that are suffering themselves as a result of Trump’s lack of leadership. ~llaw
The United States may destroy the Fordow enrichment plant. It won’t make the Iranian nuclear threat go away
By Richard Nephew | June 17, 2025
The United States may be preparing to join Israel’s ongoing operation against Iran to help targeting underground nuclear facilities, including the Fordow fuel enrichment plant using “bunker busters” like the GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) that only US B-2 bombers are certified to carry. (Photo by MikeMareen / depositphotos.com)
If the Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear program, started on June 13, is to prove successful in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, then a necessary—but not sufficient—step will involve the elimination of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
At the Fordow plant, located near the city of Qom, the Iranians have enough centrifuges (including IR-6s, their more advanced type) and uranium hexafluoride gas to produce several nuclear weapons. They could probably produce enough weapon-grade (90 percent) enriched uranium for one nuclear weapon within five to six days. Perhaps more important, Fordow itself is a hardened facility, built within a mountain and protected from many forms of attack. It could—in theory—continue to operate even after other nuclear facilities in the country have been destroyed, with its material then fueling nuclear weapons to be produced clandestinely.
If Israel decides to continue down the military path against Iran’s nuclear program, it has no choice but to ensure that the Fordow enrichment plant no longer poses a threat.
Diplomacy dismantled. When President Barack Obama revealed the existence of this facility publicly in September 2009, he said that “the size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful program.” This was a factual description but somewhat of an understatement, seeing as Fordow was constructed in secret, sized to house enough centrifuges of the then-current type to produce enough weapon-grade uranium to support nuclear weapons production within a year.
Iran understood clearly what it was doing; its nuclear program was under investigation in 2009 for precisely this sort of clandestine work. It seemed then—and remains—intended to serve at a minimum as a hedge and secure place for Iran’s nuclear program to support weapons production.
Fordow is, therefore, a crucially important place if one attempts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Through the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—also known as the Iran nuclear deal—the United States and its partners hoped to remove the risk from Fordow by forcing its conversion into a facility that could not enrich uranium. Under the JCPOA, Iranians stopped enriching uranium at Fordow. But in November 2019, in response to the decision of the first Trump administration to withdraw from the JCPOA, Iran began preparations to restart production. Since that time, the Iranians moved not only to expand Fordow’s uranium enrichment operations, but also to install advanced IR-6 centrifuges and use them to produce 60-percent highly enriched uranium.
Three nuclear policy challenges for the second Trump administration
Military options. Though a diplomatic strategy has considerable benefits, the United States has long planned to deal with Fordow militarily if need be. For instance, the United States has made plans to destroy the site using the massive ordnance penetrator (MOP) weapon—a 30,000-pound (13,600-kilograms) earth-penetrating “bunker buster” bomb that only the US B-2 bomber can carry. It is assessed that the MOP could be successful at accessing Fordow’s underground centrifuge halls and destroying them. Other air-launched weapon systems—including those possessed by Israel—are less likely to be able to access the centrifuge halls.
However, there may be other military approaches to destroy Fordow. For example, some press reports suggested the idea of a commando-style raid. Moreover, above-ground parts of the facility could also be targeted, which would harm operations at and access to the facility, including ventilation shafts, access doorways, and power generation—as reportedly occurred at the Natanz enrichment plant. Still, the absence of any strikes so far against the facility, four days after the attack started since June 13, suggests that Israel believes the United States dropping a MOP “bunker buster” bomb is the most effective way to destroy Fordow.
It would be highly risky to conclude the current Israeli military campaign without destroying Fordow or securing an inviolable set of commitments by the Iranians to dismantle the facility. With this facility intact, Iran could quickly produce weapons-grade uranium, including potentially using material brought to the site from destroyed locations.
Risk of breakout. A deal could be constructed that would permit inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the site, just as was the case until June 13. But Israel’s attack has most probably changed Iranian strategic calculus fundamentally. While Iran was until last week focused on building and maintaining a nuclear-weapon option, it is unlikely that Tehran will be willing to remain at the threshold going forward if the current government remains in charge.
Even if there were to be a deal in which Fordow remained in existence as a uranium enrichment site, the risk of an Iranian breakout scenario to produce nuclear weapons is probably greater today than it was a week ago: Iran has been shown that its conventional military cannot deter an Israeli attack, and therefore it is far likelier to have difficulty restocking its missile and other military forces (especially air defense) than Israel will.
Memo to Trump: Cancel US Air Force’s Sentinel ICBM program
But the United States and Israel must acknowledge that Fordow is not the only pathway for an Iranian nuclear weapons program. Iran may have other centrifuges available, including at secret sites, and probably already at work. On June 12, Iran said that it would retaliate for the IAEA Board of Governors’ adoption of a resolution finding Iran in noncompliance with its treaty obligations by unveiling another secret “invulnerable” enrichment facility. Iran could also have a stock of additional centrifuges that it could either rapidly install or use, with enriched uranium from other parts of the country serving as feedstock. Destroying or rendering Fordow inoperable would not preclude Iran from using these alternative sites to potentially produce one or several nuclear weapons.
Intrusive inspections could help—but having been attacked, it is questionable whether Iran would accept such inspections or faithfully adhere to their terms for the long run. In the early 1990s, after a military campaign destroyed Iraq’s nuclear program as part of the overall first Gulf War, the succeeding containment and inspection strategy eventually broke down despite punitive raids and airstrikes, threats of war, and diplomatic entreaties.
Ultimately, Israel chose a high-risk path to try to eliminate the threat from the Iranian nuclear program. Although there was a chance that Iran would try to break out to nuclear weapons possession soon, this was not certain. And a diplomatic approach might have been able to contain this threat too—as it did in 2015.
Having embarked on a military path, Israel either now needs to prevent Iran from breaking out using military means or to coerce Iran into accepting the sorts of intrusive inspections and dismantlement activities it previously refused. This may be theoretically possible; Iran is now under considerable attack and stress, with even calls by President Trump for its “unconditional surrender.” But the odds of a future Iranian breakout—either using Fordow or another site—are not going to go away even with the decimation of Iran’s existing nuclear sites.
Iran warns US intervention in conflict with Israel risks ‘all out war’
Esmaeil Baghaei tells Al Jazeera that ‘any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.’
Published On 18 Jun 202518 Jun 2025
|
Updated:
7 hours ago
Iran has warned that any United States intervention in the conflict with Israel would risk an “all-out war” as the two sides traded attacks for a sixth straight day.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned: “Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.”
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“We have very good relations with Arab countries, and they are very cognisant of the fact that Israel has been trying to drag others into the war. … We are sure our Arab countries hosting US bases would not allow their territory to be used against their Muslim neighbours,” he added.
US President Donald Trump, who initially distanced himself from the Israeli attacks, has since hinted at greater US involvement in the conflict, saying he wants something “much bigger” than a ceasefire. The US has sent more warplanes to the region and is also sending the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.
Thousands of American soldiers are based in nearby countries within range of Iran’s weapons. The US, however, has threatened a massive response to any attack.
On Tuesday, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”.
He also boasted that the United States could easily assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“A storm is passing over Tehran,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on the social media platform X. “This is how dictatorships collapse.”
Khamenei said Iran would “never surrender”, and warned the US it would suffer “irreparable damage” if it intervenes in the conflict.
“This nation will never surrender,” Khamenei said in a speech read on state television. “America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage.”
Iran will respond to Israeli strikes “strongly” and “without restraint”, its ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva told reporters.
“We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly without restraint,” Ali Bahreini said.
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There are 7 categories, with the latest addition, (#7) being a Friday weekly roundup of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) global nuclear news stories. Also included is a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera activity around the world that play an important role in humanity’s lives. The feature categories provide articles and information about ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links with headlines concerning the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:
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TODAY’s NUCLEAR WORLD’s NEWS DIGEST, Wednesday, (06/18/2025)
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
Nuclear scientist’s grand plan to solve climate change | LBC – YouTube
YouTube
… all-new LBC App: https … ‘Things got quite testy’ | PMQs Analysed. LBC New 7.7K views · 19:54.
Iran-Israel Live Updates: Trump Says Iran Should Have Made a Nuclear Deal Earlier – WSJ
WSJ
All Things with Kim Strassel Newsletter · All Things with Kim Strassel … Still, Iran hasn’t proved it can build a reliable nuclear device or …
Iran’s nuclear program and Fordo facility probably need to go at this point, says Amos Hochstein
YouTube
Jim Cramer breaks down all things Federal Reserve before Wednesday’s rate decision … Was Iran really about to build a nuclear bomb? | ABC News …
Nuclear Power
NEWS
US nuclear giant plans to build major power plant in Wales – The Telegraph
The Telegraph
… nuclear power plant under construction, have also fuelled concerns about value for money. The Prime Minister has since thrown his weight behind …
The United States may destroy the Fordow enrichment plant. It won’t make the Iranian …
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
If the Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear program, started on June 13, is to prove successful in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, …
Israel and U.S. intelligence differ on status of Iran’s nuclear program. Who’s right? – NPR
NPR
“I think Israel is lengthening the time Iran would need to make nuclear weapons, probably significantly,” Albright said. Inspectors from …
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
EXPLAINER – Israel’s strikes on Iran: Major sites and fears of ‘regional nuclear emergency‘
Anadolu Ajansı
The Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure began last Friday, a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran for a …
Oman steps up emergency preparedness amid strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites – Muscat Daily
Muscat Daily
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Saturday that four key buildings were hit in Isfahan, including a uranium conversion …
U.S. Battery Makers Declare National Emergency After China’s Antimony Ban | OilPrice.com
Oil Price
… Nuclear Power · Solar Energy · Hydroelectric · Renewable Energy · Geothermal … emergency. Last summer, China, which supplies more than half of the …
Nuclear War Threats
NEWS
Iran threatens ‘all-out war‘ if Trump joins Israel’s military campaign | Fox News
Fox News
“We have clear goals and objectives: removing the existential threat to the State of Israel, significantly impairing the nuclear program in all its …
As Trump considers US strikes on Iran, polls suggest Americans may not be into it – CNN
CNN
And Gallup polling last year showed 93% of Republicans and 70% of Democrats described Iran developing nuclear weapons as a “critical threat” to the …
Iran warns US intervention in conflict with Israel risks ‘all out war‘
Al Jazeera
Iran warns US intervention in conflict with Israel risks ‘all out war‘ … nuclear weapons development programme”. The International Atomic …
Nuclear War
NEWS
Iran warns U.S. involvement in Israeli strikes would risk “all-out war” – CBS News
CBS News
As Israel attacks new sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran warns against the U.S. wading directly into an increasingly deadly war, …
Iran’s leader rejects call to surrender, saying US intervention would cause ‘irreparable damage’
AP News
Israel-Hamas war Russia-Ukraine War … Israeli strikes have hit several nuclear and military sites, killing top generals and nuclear scientists.
4 things to know as the war between Israel and Iran intensifies – NPR
NPR
President Trump posted on his social media platform late Monday also calling for civilians in Tehran to leave. “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” …
Middle East On Edge As Threat Of Nuclear War Looms | Khamenei | N18G – YouTube – YouTube
Yellowstone Caldera
NEWS
Know before you go: Drinking water in Yellowstone’s backcountry – Buckrail
Buckrail
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — In this week’s Caldera Chronicles, the scientists of Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) discuss the principles of …