Former Spy Chief: 'Good Case' for US To Strike Iranian Nuclear Site

Newsweek

6 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The U.S. should go ahead and destroy the most deeply buried nuclear facilities in Iran, a former U.K. intelligence chief has said.
The comments by John Sawers, former head of MI6, came as President Donald Trump weighs up whether to commit the U.S. to direct involvement in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
Khosro Isfahani, senior research analyst at National Union for Democracy in Iran, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. told Newsweek on Thursday removing the nuclear threat posed by Iran "would give the world a better chance at containing the regime."
Infographic with satellite image from Planet Labs PBC from March 19, 2025, shows the Fordow nuclear site in Iran.
Infographic with satellite image from Planet Labs PBC from March 19, 2025, shows the Fordow nuclear site in Iran.
Getty Images
Why It Matters
Israel said its Operation Rising Lion is aimed at destroying Iran's chances of building a nuclear bomb, although Tehran says its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.
The U.S. is believed to have weapons which can destroy Iran's secret nuclear site at Fordow, with U.S. reports pointing to the GBU-57 bunker-busting bomb, which can be delivered by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. The comments by such a senior former intelligence figure will add weight to the argument that the U.S. should proceed with targeting Iranian's underground nuclear sites.
What To Know
Sawers was head of the U.K's Secret Intelligence Service MI6 between 2009 and 2014. In an interview for the BBC radio program Today, Sawers said there is a good case for the U.S. destroying the most deeply buried nuclear facilities in Iran.
He said that in some ways "it would be better if they got on with it" because it would give a better chance of ending the conflict. He referred to the nuclear facilities at Fordow, which he said were buried up to 300 feet beneath the surface.
When asked if it could end the regime and unleash uncontrollable forces, Sawers said that destroying the nuclear facilities did not mean the regime would be quashed.
'I don't think destroying the nuclear facilities destroys the regime.'
Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6, says there's a 'strong case' for the Americans to step in and strike Iran, and that 'in some ways it would be better if they got on with it.'#R4Today — BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) June 19, 2025
Unlike the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, there is no alternative, well-armed militia ready to take over, he said.
In response to Sawer's comments, Isfahani told Newsweek that Iran and the wider Middle East have been hostages to the Islamic Republic for over four decades, due to the triple threat of missiles and drones, proxy forces, and nuclear brinkmanship.
"The evil triangle has already been weakened; now it must be shattered. The regime must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon." he said.
What People Are Saying
John Sawers, former head of the U.K.'s MI6 on the BBC: "I think there is a good case for the Americans to destroy the most deeply-buried nuclear facilities in Iran."
Khosro Isfahani, senior research analyst at National Union for Democracy in Iran, told Newsweek that removing the nuclear threat "would give the world a better chance at containing the regime. It would also deprive the gambling ayatollah of the opportunity to play the last card up his sleeve."
What Happens Next
The Wall Street Journal and CBS reported that President Donald Trump had signed off on an attack on Iran's nuclear sites, but had not decided whether to go ahead with strikes. However, adding to speculation was the response by the U.S. president on social media that the Journal "has no idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!"