Israel unleashed operation ‘Rising Lion’, dropping missile after missile on Iranian nuclear sites – despite not possessing the warhead up to the task to destroy them.
America’s 30,000-pound precision-guided bomb is the only one that could penetrate the web of underground bunkers where Iran is carrying out its nuclear programme.
The GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – known as bunker buster – is capable of penetrating 200 feet deep inside a target and then exploding.
Experts consider it to be the best shot at getting through Iran’s hardened tunnels.
Adam Lakhani, security director at International SOS, told Metro that the depth of some of Iran’s nuclear facilities is ‘beyond the current capability and reach of Israeli missiles’.
He said: ‘We are expecting to witness a sustained attack over the coming days and weeks.
‘At the moment, the only nation that possesses the weapons, which can actually effectively reach uh the depths of these bunkers remains the US.’
With no clear path to destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructures, questions are now being asked about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’ intent.
Was the politician banking more on dragging Donald Trump into the war than to neutralize Iranian capabilities? Or did Israel actually miscalculate the depth of the underground tunnels, following false intelligence?
In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out several Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran programme at the conservative Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD), said: ‘The regime’s missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating.
‘But there are still questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran’s nuclear programme.’
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported no damage at Fordo, a uranium enrichment plant south of Tehran.
Unlike the Natanz and Isfahan sites in central Iran, it is buried underground, beyond the reach of Israeli bombs.
‘All eyes will be on Fordo, which is buried under about 300 feet of rock in central Iran,’ Taleblu said.
Currently, all eyes have turned to Whiteman Air Force Base, where the only aircraft capable of deploying the bunker buster – the US B-2 Bomber, are based.
With their long-range capabilities, they are able to fly all the way from the US to the Middle East for bombing runs.
Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defence for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stressed that multiple bombs will likely be needed to pierce Fordo’s walls.
He added: ‘They’re not going to just be one and done.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
