Israel’s battle to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities continues, with the Fordow facility — located two hours from Tehran — remaining a critical target. Military experts emphasize that the U.S. is the only nation with access to the specialized bunker buster bombs required to strike this deeply buried site. Analysts argue that the facility, which could potentially produce a nuclear warhead in as few as two to three days, is a major threat that demands a highly advanced targeting strategy.
The GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bunker buster, is designed to penetrate deep underground targets, such as the Fordow facility, which is said to be as deep as 800 meters underground. While Israeli military capabilities include smaller bunker busters, the U.S. possesses the unique technology necessary for such an operation. The strategic importance of Fordow has drawn attention from international experts, including Jonathan Ruhe, who explained that its depth presents significant challenges for any strike effort.
Ruhe highlighted that the U.S. military’s stealth B-2 Spirit bombers are the most effective means of delivering the MOP to the site. The technique involves dropping multiple bombs in succession to ensure penetration. However, there is skepticism about the possibility of loaning these bombers to Israel, as the U.S. has no intention of sharing its strategic capabilities. Israel, while tactically inventive, may opt for alternative methods, such as using F-15s with F-35 escorts to deliver bunker busters with a less comprehensive strike than the MOP could provide.
Despite the challenges, analysts like Ruhe argue that even a partial disruption of Fordow’s operations could significantly impact Iran’s nuclear program. Israel has already disabled other parts of Iran’s fuel cycle, and targeting Fordow could delay or disrupt its nuclear ambitions. Yet, the facility remains a major issue that demands continued strategic focus for regional security and global stability.