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Roya News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Fordow nuclear site: Iran's most secure secret, daunting target for 'Israel'
The name of Fordow, a city in Iran, has been frequently mentioned following 'Israel's' attempts to target the Fordow nuclear facility. The United States has also been urged to supply 'bunker-buster' bombs to assist 'Israel' in potentially destroying one of Tehran's most guarded secrets in its nuclear program. What we know about Fordow Nestled deep within Iranian mountains and protected by layers of rock and advanced technology, the Fordow uranium enrichment facility lies about 95 kilometers southwest of Tehran. It is buried roughly half a mile underground inside a military base controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The facility is heavily fortified, protected by advanced air defense systems designed to withstand conventional aerial attacks, making it one of the most secure nuclear sites in Iran. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Fordow consists of two fortified halls for uranium enrichment housing 16 cascades of centrifuges. In October 2009, Iran allowed the IAEA to inspect the site for the first time. US bunker-buster bomb: GBU-57 Fordow's strategic importance has pushed 'Israel' to consider striking it at all costs, while Washington weighs its options. Among those is deploying the US-exclusive GBU-57 'bunker-buster' bomb — a 30,000-pound munition believed capable of penetrating about 200 feet underground before detonating. The bomb has a thicker steel casing compared to other bombs and contains less explosive material, designed to survive deep underground penetration. It is praised as the US Air Force's 'jewel' for its long-range, stealthy delivery capabilities. A recent New York Times report highlighted Fordow as Iran's most fortified nuclear site. Built deep inside a mountain to prevent attacks, it is only vulnerable to the GBU-57 bomb carried by US B-2 stealth bombers. The bomb's design allows it to penetrate hardened underground bunkers before exploding. It is widely believed 'Israel' cannot destroy Fordow by itself. The US has refused to provide 'Israel' with bunker-buster bombs, and Israel lacks heavy bombers capable of delivering them. However, 'Israeli' military officials say targeting nearby power plants that supply electricity to Fordow's advanced centrifuges could significantly slow down uranium enrichment. Strategic importance of Fordow in Iran's nuclear program Striking Fordow is key to curbing Iran's nuclear weapons capability. In March 2023, the IAEA revealed that uranium enriched to 83.7 percent purity—near weapons-grade level—was found at Fordow. Iran insists its nuclear technology is for peaceful purposes only. While the US continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East, including refueling and combat aircraft, President Donald Trump maintained a policy of withholding bunker-buster bombs from Israel. General Joseph Votel, former commander of US Central Command, said the US has deliberately avoided supplying Israel with these weapons to prevent their use. Washington regards bunker-buster bombs as a critical deterrent and a vital national security asset, not something to encourage an Israeli-Iran war. Fortification of Fordow: Lessons from history Iran built Fordow deep underground to avoid the fate of Iraq's Tammuz reactor, which was destroyed by Israel in 1981 because it was above ground. 'Israel' has developed multiple plans over the years to attack Fordow, including sending commandos by helicopter to sabotage the site—a tactic previously used successfully against a missile facility in Syria linked to Hezbollah. General Kenneth McKenzie, who succeeded Votel, noted that while Israel has carried out many covert operations recently, Fordow remains an exceptionally difficult target.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Glico's latest durian-flavoured Pocky, now available in Singapore, sparks thorny discussion
SINGAPORE – Japanese food manufacturing company Ezaki Glico Co has been expanding its range of offerings over the years, but a new flavour of its famed Pocky snack appears to have sparked a thorny discussion among foodies. The flavour? Durian. The creamy fruit with its spiky exterior is native to South-east Asia and is well-loved in the region, earning it the title of 'The King of Fruits'. However, not all are fond of the fruit – the durian-averse have described it as tasting like puke or expired custard. The durian-flavoured Pocky snack was reportedly launched in Thailand in late 2024 and can now be found in local stores. According to supermarket chain FairPrice's website, it costs $13.90 for a bundle of 10 boxes weighing 25g each. Regular flavours like chocolate and strawberry cost about $1.40 for an individual 45g box. The snack can also be bought online via Shopee, with listings pricing it at up to $4.90 a box and $20.60 for a bundle. The durian Pocky has seen a mixed bag of reactions. Some have said they cannot get enough of it, while others have expressed an intense dislike. Several foodies, taking their first bite of the snack, shared their unfiltered and immediate thoughts on TikTok. 'It's not too sweet, and it really tastes like durian,' said one person. Praising the taste, another remarked: 'I wish I'd bought more.' Another netizen on Threads described the durian-flavoured Pocky sticks as tasting 'heavenly'. But others were not convinced. One Reddit user said: 'They managed to make it taste like (how) durian smells, rather than how it tastes.' Another, admitting that he or she has never tried durian, said the snack tasted cheesy and had a garlic aftertaste. In the past, Glico has introduced unique flavours of its Pocky snack such as the limited-edition Baked Cheesecake flavour, the US-exclusive peppermint flavour and the Sakura flavour. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
New Paper
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Glico's latest durian-flavoured Pocky, now available in Singapore, sparks thorny discussion
Japanese food manufacturing company Ezaki Glico Co has been expanding its range of offerings over the years, but a new flavour of its famed Pocky snack appears to have sparked a thorny discussion among foodies. The flavour? Durian. The creamy fruit with its spiky exterior is native to South-east Asia and is well-loved in the region, earning it the title of 'The King of Fruits'. However, not all are fond of the fruit - the durian-averse have described it as tasting like puke or expired custard. The durian-flavoured Pocky snack was reportedly launched in Thailand late last year and can now be found in local stores. According to the NTUC FairPrice website, the snack costs $13.90 for a bundle of 10 boxes weighing 25g each while the usual flavours like chocolate and strawberry cost about $1.40 for an individual 45g box. The snack can also be purchased online via Shopee, with listings pricing it at up to $4.90 per box and $20.60 for a bundle. The durian Pocky flavour has seen a mixed bag of reactions. Some have said they cannot get enough of it, while others have expressed an intense dislike. Several foodies, taking their first bite of the snack, shared their unfiltered and immediate thoughts on TikTok. "It's not too sweet, and it really tastes like durian," said one person. Praising the taste, another said: "I wish I'd bought more." Another netizen on Threads described the durian-flavoured Pocky sticks as tasting "heavenly". But others were not convinced. "They managed to make it taste like durian smells, rather than how it tastes," said one Reddit user. Another, admitting that they have never actually tried durian, said the snack tasted cheesy and had a garlic aftertaste. Glico has in the past introduced other unique flavours of its Pocky snack such as the limited-edition Baked Cheesecake flavour, the US-exclusive peppermint flavour and the Sakura flavour.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Glico's latest durian-flavoured Pocky, now available in Singapore, sparks thorny discussion
In Singapore, a bundle of 10 of the durian-flavoured Pocky snack can be found at NTUC FairPrice stores for $13.90. PHOTO: NTUC FAIRPRICE SINGAPORE - Japanese food manufacturing company Ezaki Glico Co has been expanding its range of offerings over the years, but a new flavour of its famed Pocky snack appears to have sparked a thorny discussion among foodies. The flavour? Durian. The creamy fruit with its spiky exterior is native to South-east Asia and is well-loved in the region, earning it the title of ' The King of Fruits '. However, not all are fond of the fruit – the durian-averse have described it as tasting like puke or expired custard. The durian-flavoured Pocky snack was reportedly launched in Thailand late last year and can now be found in local stores. According to the NTUC FairPrice website , the snack costs $13.90 for a bundle of 10 boxes weighing 25g each while the usual flavours like chocolate and strawberry cost about $1.40 for an individual 45g box. The snack can also be purchased online via Shopee, with listings pricing it at up to $4.90 per box and $20.60 for a bundle . The durian Pocky flavour has seen a mixed bag of reactions. Some have said they cannot get enough of it, while others have expressed an intense dislike. Several foodies, taking their first bite of the snack, shared their unfiltered and immediate thoughts on TikTok. 'It's not too sweet, and it really tastes like durian,' said one person. Praising the taste, another said: 'I wish I'd bought more.' Another netizen on Threads described the durian-flavoured Pocky sticks as tasting 'heavenly'. But others were not convinced. 'They managed to make it taste like durian smells, rather than how it tastes,' said one Reddit user. Another, admitting that they have never actually tried durian, said the snack tasted cheesy and had a garlic aftertaste. Glico has in the past introduced other unique flavours of its Pocky snack such as the limited-edition Baked Cheesecake flavour, the US-exclusive peppermint flavou r and the Sakura flavour . Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
