This incident follows on the heels of a “mysterious” explosion that occurred at the plant last month.
By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)
Once again, a complex vital to Iran’s nuclear program has been put out of commission. On Saturday, the Bushehr Nuclear Powerplant underwent an emergency, “unexplained” shut down for the first time in its 10-year existence. Iran’s comment was that this incident was merely a technical issue, and that the plant would be operational within 3 or 4 days (although the televised address given by an Iranian energy official left more questions than answers).
This setback is one of many that has frustrated Iran’s nuclear ambitions since mid-2020. In April, Iran’s key nuclear facility was severely damaged in a daring, elaborate operation, attributed to Israel (For more on that operation, click here). In that case too, Iran claimed the issue was merely technical. A slew of Iranian nuclear scientists, vital to the mission have been assassinated, including Iran’s most guarded man and head of Iran’s nuclear program in late 2020 (for more on the incredible circumstances of the assassination, click here). Although Israel has a policy of neither admitting nor denying their involvement, in an unprecedented move last week Yossi Cohen (head of the Mossad) hinted at its involvement.
This is not the first time the Bushehr Powerplant has been attacked. Just last month an explosion occurred nearby, killing and wounding several officials. In July, a “mysterious” fire broke out at the city’s port, destroying 7 ships.
In addition to these attacks, Iran’s nuclear program has been beset by financial problems. In March, Iran announced that if the Trump era sanctions were kept in place, the Islamic republic would haveno choice but to close their only nuclear powerplant. Also, terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah that rely on Iran have been unable to keep all of their “soldiers” on the payroll and are in dire need of cash.
Even though the sanctions have been shown to be effective, U.S. President Biden recently rolled back some of the sanctions and is trying to return to former President Obama’s failed 2015 nuclear accords in exchange for full sanction relief. Experts fear that this would give Iran the ability to move forward with their nuclear ambitions and restore funding to terrorist organizations which have caused several deadly civil wars in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria. Iran has vowed to “Wipe Israel off the face of the Earth”. Israel has vowed not to let the rogue state acquire the weapon.
Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here. To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel, click here.
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