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U.S. Nuclear Power Plants Were Primary Target of September 11 Terrorist Attacks - 2002-09-08

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The London Times reveals that U.S. nuclear power plants were initially intended to be targeted in the September 11 attacks, according to two senior al-Qaeda members. They ultimately decided against this due to fears of uncontrollable damage. This information sheds light on the original intentions behind the attacks and the strategic considerations of the attackers.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: New insights into the September 11 attacks reveal the initial targeting of U.S. nuclear facilities, altering the understanding of al-Qaeda's plans.

👥 Key Players

Ramzi bin al-Shibh MENTIONED
Senior al-Qaeda member
"He was involved in the planning of the September 11 attacks and is a key figure in understanding al-Qaeda's strategies."
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed MENTIONED
Senior al-Qaeda member
"He is considered the principal architect of the September 11 attacks, providing insight into al-Qaeda's operational decisions."
Yosri Fouda MENTIONED
Journalist
"Conducted the interview that revealed new information about the September 11 attacks."

📰 What Happened

The London Times reported that U.S. nuclear power plants were initially targeted for the September 11 attacks, but the plan was abandoned due to fears of uncontrollable damage. The U.S. Capitol was identified as the fourth target instead of the White House.

  • Al-Qaeda initially planned to target U.S. nuclear power plants.
  • The U.S. Capitol was the intended fourth target, not the White House.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: While not directly related to Iran, the information underscores the global threat of terrorism, which affects regional security dynamics.
🌍 Regional: The revelation highlights the potential risks to critical infrastructure, which is a concern for all nations in the region facing terrorism threats.
🌐 International: The report provides crucial insights into al-Qaeda's strategic thinking, influencing international counter-terrorism strategies.

📚 Background

The September 11 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States on September 11, 2001, leading to significant global geopolitical shifts.

September 11 attacks Al-Qaeda Counter-terrorism
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The London Times is a reputable international news source, but readers should consider the potential for sensationalism in exclusive reports.

The London Times reports that U.S. nuclear power plants were the primary target of the September 11 terrorist attacks, citing two senior al-Qaeda members. The Times references audio recordings from an interview by journalist Yosri Fouda in Pakistan with the two individuals in June. According to the two, they later abandoned the plan to attack the plants due to concerns that the level of damage would be beyond control. Al-Qaeda members stated that the U.S. Capitol building was the fourth target of the September 11 attacks, not the White House as has been commonly believed. The two individuals mentioned, who are being pursued by the FBI, are Ramzi bin al-Shibh and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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