Israel may send special forces to Iran

Israel is considering a special forces operation against Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear facility if the United States decides not to carry out airstrikes, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. and Israeli officials.

The Fordo site, located inside a mountain, is designed to withstand aerial attacks and houses uranium enrichment infrastructure.

“Israel claims it can inflict serious damage to the facility even without American support. One of the options is a special forces raid,” Axios wrote.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael (Yehiel) Leiter, recently hinted in interviews that the IDF has alternatives to airstrikes.

According to the report, one option under discussion is a high-risk commando operation. Israel conducted a similar, though smaller, mission in Syria in September 2024, where special forces destroyed an underground missile factory using planted explosives.

Now that Israel reportedly controls Iranian airspace and has dealt heavy blows to Iranian forces, a ground operation may seem less extreme than before.

A U.S. official told Axios that Israel informed the Trump administration: “Even if bombs can't penetrate the mountain, our people can.”

Earlier, ABC News reported that the U.S. may consider multiple strikes on the Fordo nuclear facility.

On the night of June 13, Israel launched Operation "Rising Lion," striking nuclear and military sites in Iran. Iran responded with "True Promise — 3," targeting military assets inside Israel.

Both sides have reported dozens of casualties as the conflict escalates.