Ex-Mossad chief says Israeli operatives visited Iran’s Fordow nuclear site ‘many times’

JERUSALEM, Aug 11: Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said Tuesday that Israeli intelligence operatives had visited Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility “many times” as part of efforts to gather intelligence on the underground site, according to Israel Hayom.

Speaking at the Galilee Conference, Cohen said the operatives toured the facility to gain a better understanding of its layout and capabilities. He did not disclose when the visits took place or identify the personnel involved.

Cohen also described the US strike on the underground Fordow facility as “the fulfillment of all my dreams,” according to the report.

Fordow, located deep underground near Qom, has long been viewed as one of Iran’s most protected nuclear facilities because of its hardened construction and underground location.

Cohen also commented on Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, saying it was “still far from a bomb.” Uranium enriched to 60 percent is below the roughly 90 percent enrichment level generally associated with weapons-grade uranium, although it is significantly above the enrichment level required for most civilian nuclear uses.