What are B-2 Stealth Bombers and why US used it to target nuclear sites in Iran
US President Donald Trump, who made the announcement, said B-2 stealth bombers were used to attack three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, calling it a historic moment for the US, Israel and the world.
Though Trump stated that B-2 stealth bombers were used in the operation, the US President did not specify which types of bombs were dropped at the Iranian facilities.
Also Read: 'Fordow is gone': Trump signals major blow to Iran's nuclear programme after US strikes What is the B-2 stealth bomber?
B-2 stealth bomber is a first-of-its-kind arsenal in the US Air Force and has been the backbone of the American stealth technology for three decades.
After its first flight in 1989, the aircraft remains one of the most survivable aircraft in the world, with the capability to penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defences, according to its manufacturer Northrop Grumman. Why Trump Deployed B-2 Bomber in Iran?
There has been growing speculation ever since B-2 stealth bombers were headed to Guam on Saturday.
It was being speculated that the Trump administration would use the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator to target the underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordrow.
However, the speculations were put to rest after Trump announced attacking three sites in Iran, including Fordrow, to decapitate the country's nuclear program.
The B-2 is the only US fighter jet capable of carrying the Massive Ordnance Penetrator on bombing missions, with each bomber having the capability to carry two such bombs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 minutes ago
- Business Standard
European leaders to join Zelenskyy in US as Trump presses Ukraine deal
European leaders including from Germany, France and Britain will accompany Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet Donald Trump in Washington, they said on Sunday, seeking to bolster him as the U.S. president presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace agreement. A day before the talks with Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were hosting a meeting of allies on Sunday to shore up Zelenskiy's position, hoping in particular to lock down robust security guarantees for Ukraine that would include a U.S. role. President Trump is leaning on Zelenskyy to strike an agreement after he met Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. According to sources, the U.S. and Russian leaders discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine ceding a swathe of fortified land in the east and freezing the front lines elsewhere. At face value, some of Putin's demands would be hugely difficult for Ukraine to accept, setting the stage for potentially fraught talks about ending Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, which has dragged on for 3-1/2 years and killed or wounded more than 1 million people. European allies are keen to help Zelenskyy avoid a repeat of his last Oval Office meeting, in February. That went disastrously, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance giving the Ukrainian leader a public dressing-down, accusing him of being ungrateful and disrespectful. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also travel to Washington, as will Finland's President Alexander Stubb, whose access to Trump included rounds of golf in Florida earlier this year, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is an admirer of many of Trump's policies. "The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression," the German government said in a statement about the Washington trip. "This includes maintaining pressure on sanctions." Macron, Merz and Starmer will host a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" - a grouping of allies of Kyiv - from 1300 GMT on Sunday. Von der Leyen is hosting Zelenskyy in Brussels from where the two leaders will also dial in. European powers want to help set up a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy to make sure Ukraine has a seat at the table to shape its future. They also want security guarantees for Ukraine with U.S. involvement, and the ability to crank up pressure on Moscow if needed. "They will spell out what they consider essential in terms of security guarantees: what they can do themselves, what falls to the coalition of volunteers, and also what they expect from the United States," a European government official said. "Indeed, they expect a very robust commitment." For his part, Putin briefed his close ally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, about the Alaska talks, and also spoke with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held calls on Saturday with his Turkish and Hungarian counterparts. Hungary has been a hold-out in the European Union against the bloc's efforts to isolate Putin since he sent troops into Ukraine in a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Turkey has tried to maintain open diplomatic channels with both Ukraine and Russia. 'VERY BIG POWER' Trump said on Friday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not". After the Alaska summit, Trump phoned Zelenskyy and told him that the Kremlin chief had offered to freeze most front lines if Ukraine ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow's main targets, a source familiar with the matter said. Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014. Trump also said he agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies have called for. That was a reversal of his position before the summit, when he said he would not be happy unless a ceasefire was agreed on. Zelenskyy said Russia's unwillingness to pause the fighting would complicate efforts to forge a lasting peace. "Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war," he said on X. Russia has made steady advances for months, although in recent days Ukraine said it had cleared some territory where Russian troops had broken through. In his statement after the Alaska summit, Putin signalled no movement in Russia's long-held demands, which also include a veto on Kyiv's desired membership in the NATO alliance. He also warned Ukraine and its European allies not to "create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue".
India.com
7 minutes ago
- India.com
China to fail in its rare earth game as India hits JACKPOT of rare metals in...
Representational Image India rare earth elements: In a major discovery that could lead in India becoming self-sufficient in Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and even challenging China's overwhelming dominance in the sector, massive deposits of these rare minerals have been found in the Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh, according to officials. What REE reserves were discovered in Andhra Pradesh? As per a recent report released by India's Ministry of Mines, a large deposit of neodymium, a rare earth metal widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), modern electronics and rare earth magnets, was discovered in the region, the Economic Times reported. Additionally, REE deposits have been discovered in Karbi Anglong in Assam and Sung Valley in Meghalaya, while similar deposits are believed to exist in Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, the ministry said. Experts believe the crucial discovery of REE deposits would enable India to reduce its massive dependence on China for rare earth exports, which accounts for up to 90% of total REE exports to India. An indigenous supply of rare earth metals could boost India's technological and industrial development as well as propel the country's economy to the next level. Additionally, India will no longer be at the mercy of China's policies as local reserves would ensure uninterrupted supply. How India can become self-sufficient in REEs? At present, India's produces a tiny 1% of world total REE production, while China dominates the market, with 70% REE production and owning 90% the refining capacity. This means that India would need to increase REE production and refining at war footing on become self-sufficient and reduce dependence on China. According to official estimates, China controls more than 90% production of rare earth magnets, but imposed restrictions on their export in April in response to the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Why India needs rare earth magnets? Super magnets or rare earth magnets are used in the manufacturing of all kinds of advanced equipment ranging from electric vehicles (EV) to military drones and radar systems. According to industry estimates, India expects to import 700 tonnes of magnets worth $30 million this year, a major chunk of which comes from China. As per customs data, Chinese exports of permanent magnets fell 51% to 2,626 tonnes in April after the export ban came into force, while India imported 460 tonnes of rare earth magnets, most of which came from China, in the financial year that ended on March 31, 2025.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM inaugurates Rs 11,000cr road projects linking Delhi and Haryana
1 2 Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated enhanced and faster road connectivity between Haryana and New Delhi, while criticising the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi for indulging in negative politics "aimed at creating divisions between the two neighbouring states". Modi addressed a gathering to dedicate the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) National Highway projects, aimed at enhancing road connectivity between Delhi and Haryana. The projects, worth approximately Rs 11,000 crore, were inaugurated in the presence of Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, and other senior officials. While praising successive BJP chief ministers and current Haryana CM Saini, Modi took a veiled dig at the previous AAP govt in Delhi and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Without naming them directly, he referred to the state of affairs during their tenure, saying, "A few months ago, there was a conspiracy to pit the people of Haryana and Delhi against each other. The opposition accused the people of Haryana of poisoning Delhi's water. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Now Delhi and Haryana have been freed from such negative politics." Modi also commended CM Saini's leadership, highlighting improvements in governance under the BJP-led govt in Haryana. "In previous govts in Haryana, getting a job without connections or expenses was impossible. But now, under chief minister Nayab Singh Saini's leadership, jobs are being given to the youth without connections or expenses," he said. Modi added that Saini is carrying forward this tradition with commitment, and that the government's constant endeavour to simplify people's lives is clearly reflected in its policies and decisions. CM Nayab Singh Saini, while addressing the gathering, expressed gratitude to the Centre and PM Modi for the development projects in the state. He noted that the Prime Minister's support has brought six road projects worth Rs 11,000 crore to benefit both Haryana and Delhi. Saini also praised Modi's efforts in driving the overall development of the country. "Under the Urban Extension Road-2 project, two new four-lane connecting roads from Sonipat to Bahadurgarh are included. It is not just Haryana, but infrastructure work is progressing strongly across every part of the country," said Saini. He added that Prime Minister Modi's efforts will prove to be a milestone in building a developed India and a developed Haryana. He also mentioned that a major facility like AIIMS is being provided in Haryana's Rewari, thanks to the Prime Minister's special affection towards the state. Of the total Rs 11,000 crore worth of projects, two major ones will directly benefit Haryana —namely, the construction of two new four-lane connectivity roads to Sonipat and Bahadurgarh under the UER-2 project. Saini emphasised that Haryana, being the industrial and agricultural hub of North India, stands to gain the most from these projects. He said the key infrastructure developments will not only boost exports, imports, and investments by ensuring direct connectivity from Kundli, Sonipat, Bahadurgarh, Gurugram, and Manesar to Delhi Airport, but will also provide long-awaited relief from traffic congestion in the region. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
