Ok, I see the logic, but nuclear weapon use is the brightest red line in the world. If there's anything a government wouldn't be forgiven for, it's that. I can't imagine how the calculus for the US would work out in favor given the risk. (Of course that assumes rationality, which one could certainly argue is lacking, but even still.)

Also 1000ft is an upper estimate, right? It's certainly possible the MOPs were sufficient.

the US has already been forgiven for nuclear weapon use, twice. this would suggest that the US would be forgiven a third time

It’s possible the MOP was sufficient but I suspect not. Probably parts of the facility are shallower and others are deeper, such is the topology of a mountain.

If you ever engage with what Daniel Ellsberg said, or US plans in north korea or vietnam, you’d know just how close the US comes to actual use in war. It’s never off the table. They are currently concerned with peer competition with China. There is likely a faction that would propose to attempt to show american strength on an unarmed target just like we did with Japan.

However at this juncture i’m starting to think this is all a show and they only care about the optics. Iran has already moved its equipment out of Fordow. However if the Iran war continues, expect things to get increasingly ugly.