What to know about the US bunker-buster bomb, and how it could be used against Iran
Israel's attack on Iran aimed at destroying its nuclear program has raised speculation about whether the U.S. would use one of America's most powerful weapons to make that happen.
The Israeli government alleges Iran is close to making a nuclear weapon and the enriched uranium needed to do so is believed to be produced and kept inside its Fordo facility, deep inside a mountain in northwestern Iran.
One of the few weapons capable of damaging that facility and the centrifuges believed inside is the latest GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb -- known as the bunker buster.
It's 20-feet long, weighs 30,000 pounds and is capable of penetrating 200 feet deep inside a target and then exploding.
MORE: Israel-Iran live updates
ABC News contributor and retired Col. Steve Ganyard said the bomb, which has never been used in combat, was designed specifically to be used against targets in Iran and elsewhere where facilities have been built underground and protected by thick concrete.
"You make sure you save them for places like Iran and North Korea because you don't need something that goes that deep" in normal circumstances, he said.
Ganyard noted that the bomb contains only 5,000 pounds of explosives designed to detonate once it reaches its subterranean target.
"It wouldn't be a massive blast. "It would penetrate the ground and shoot up some debris but it won't be a massive cloud," he said.
No other military, including Israel, has access to the GBU-57 or the platform that can deliver the huge payload, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which can carry two of the giant bombs.
The Air Force bombers are currently stationed in Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri and would take 15 hours to get to Iran if deployed, according to military experts.
Gaynard noted that the stealth capabilities of the B-2 would not be a factor in a hypothetical bunker buster mission in Iran as Israel's military has destroyed a major part of Iran's air defense systems.
Iranian officials have dismissed Israel's claims that it was working on a nuclear weapon.
Trump has issued warnings to Iran's leaders about its alleged plans to build a nuclear weapon and he has backed the Israeli government's ongoing attacks against Iranian targets.
He has remained noncommittal about possible U.S. involvement.
MORE: Trump met with national security team in Situation Room amid Israel-Iran strikes
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi issued a statement last week warning about the dangers of attacks on nuclear facilities, including the risk of nuclear contaminiation.
"Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," he said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
16 minutes ago
- CBS News
Members of Maryland synagogue stuck in Israel as airstrikes continue
A group from a Baltimore County synagogue traveled to Israel hours before Iran airstrikes began. They remain stuck there amid ongoing tension between the countries. Nearly 50 people from Beth Tfiloh in Pikesville arrived just hours before the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv closed down due to "a special security situation" on Friday, June 13. Maryland rabbi in Israel during airstrikes "You're asleep at 3 o'clock in the morning, and you get an alarm. Just make sure you're near a shelter. Sometimes you hear the booms going on kind of around you," said Rabbi Chai Posner of Beth Tfiloh. "But then, like you get the all clear and you go, you go out. You go back to bed, or you go back to what you were doing. And today, outside, right in the courtyard of the hotel where we're staying, right outside our door, there was a wedding going on just really just beautiful and singing and dancing, and we've been doing our best to keep our group active and having fun." Tensions began to rise after Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Iran, targeting the country's military and nuclear infrastructure to try and rid it of weapons. Iran retaliated soon after, launching back-and-forth airstrikes that continued through the weekend. Officials confirmed Monday that 14 Israelis and 224 Iranians have died. Rabbi Posner said while it's scary and nerve-wracking, it's a trip he's thankful to be on. "We could do a tour of Israel anytime, and we'll do it again another time. But this was an opportunity to be a part of something historic, amazing," Rabbi Posner said. "They took care of some evil, evil people with some dangerous weapons. Nothing else was going to make it happen." President Trump would not comment on what it would take for the US to get involved in the conflict, but says he's hoping for a deal. However, he also said if any U.S. armed forces are hit by Iran, America will retaliate with "full strength and might."
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Washington waits on Trump's decision in Middle East conflict
Washington waited on edge Tuesday as President Donald Trump flew back to the White House and met with national security advisers to discuss the developing situation between Iran and Israel. Trump departed the G7 conference in Canada a day early as the conflict to rid Iran of its nuclear program intensified. Trump administration officials have insisted the U.S. is merely helping from a defensive standpoint at this time — even as evidence of a larger regional war, or potential U.S. involvement, continue. The president met with several top security officials in the Situation Room on Tuesday afternoon even as he continued to comment online about the conflict. His comments seemed to be making the case for more direct American involvement. On Monday evening, he criticized Iran for not signing a nuclear power deal, saying it was a shame and a 'waste of human life.' He declared Tehran should be evacuated 'immediately,' sparking panic in the Iranian city as millions tried to leave overnight. As of early Tuesday, he said he hasn't reached out to Iran to broker any 'Peace Talks,' and said that if Iran wanted to talk to him, they know how to reach him. The president later said that 'we' have 'complete and total control' of the skies over Iran. He said the country had good sky trackers and defense equipment, but it doesn't compare to American 'stuff.' He then said he knows where Iran's 'so-called 'Supreme Leader'' is hiding, calling him an 'easy target,' but said he won't be killed yet. 'Our patience is wearing thin,' Trump said with a warning about Iran targeting American soldiers. He later called for Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' The series of posts come as questions grow over the U.S. getting involved in the conflict, with support for the move coming from some quarters and opposition from others. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he ordered the deployment of additional defensive capabilities to the region, but didn't provide specifics. The military also moved a large number of refueling aircraft to Europe and the United States' Nimitz aircraft carrier, which can hold 5,000 people and more than 60 aircraft, Reuters reported. Vice President JD Vance backed Trump in a lengthy post of his own online. He said the president has been consistent in his view that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and made it clear to the country that it could happen one of two ways: 'the easy way or the 'other' way.' He praised Trump for showing 'remarkable restraint' in keeping the military's focus on protecting U.S. troops and citizens. While Vance didn't explicitly say Trump would be taking the U.S. in a certain direction, his message signaled that he believes the president should be trusted. 'He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment. That decision ultimately belongs to the president. And of course, people are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy,' Vance wrote. 'But I believe the president has earned some trust on this issue. And having seen this up close and personal, I can assure you that he is only interested in using the American military to accomplish American people's goals.' 'Whatever he does, that is his focus.' Congress is divided over the possibility of the United States helping to target Iran's nuclear facilities, which Israel says can only be accessed using U.S. military equipment. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., filed a War Powers Resolution on Monday that would restrict President Donald Trump's ability to unilaterally authorize military assistance to the area without the consent of lawmakers. The resolution was filed as a privileged measure, meaning it must wait at least 10 calendar days before it can be brought to the floor. Kaine said on Tuesday morning he has not yet announced any co-sponsors for the resolution but 'I definitely have interest.' That action has been matched by the House after Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif, filed a bipartisan resolution to block U.S. involvement unless explicitly approved by Congress. 'This is not our war,' Massie said in a post on X. 'Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.' Meanwhile, the issue has divided Congress on whether the U.S. should get involved, with some lawmakers expressing support for Israel and for dismantling Iran's nuclear program while others are cautioning against any participation from the U.S. military. While many Democrats in the House — at least 14 have signed on to Massie and Khanna's resolution — support restricting Trump's war power, a handful are not so sure. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., for example, who has positioned himself as a staunch ally of Israel, said the U.S. should engage in the conflict. 'Taking out Iran at this point, that's necessary if you ever have a chance to have any real peace in the Middle East,' he told Fox News on Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meanwhile, has maintained Israel's right to defend itself against attacks while arguing Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. On Tuesday, Schumer told reporters that Senate Democrats 'will not hesitate to exercise our authority' when it comes to approving military action if necessary. That sentiment is shared among several Republicans, especially among those who have praised Trump's leadership on the issue. Some lawmakers such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have rejected arguments that the president needs congressional approval to authorize U.S. military involvement. But some aren't supportive, no matter what Trump and Vance have said. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., normally a staunch ally of Trump's, appeared to break with some of her Republican colleagues over the issue. 'War has bad consequences. We voted for America First,' she wrote.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oil stabilises after surge, stocks drop as Mideast crisis fuels jitters
Oil prices stabilised Wednesday after surging the previous day on fears of a US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict sparked by Donald Trump calling for Tehran's "unconditional surrender". Iran and Israel exchanged missiles for a sixth day, with the US president's latest comments appearing to dent hopes that the crisis in the Middle East could be calmed. Leaving the G7 summit in Canada a day early on Monday, Trump said he was aiming for a "real end" to the conflict, not just a ceasefire. He later shared a series of social media posts that stoked speculation he could be planning to join Israel in its strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Days after a senior US official said Trump had told Israel to back down from plans to assassinate top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the US president looked to reverse course. "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there -- We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Warning Iran against targeting US interests, he also posted: "But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin." And in a later post wrote: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" The comments sent oil prices spiking more than four percent Tuesday on fears an escalation of the conflict could hammer supplies from the crude-rich region. But while both main contracts dipped Wednesday, investors remain on edge over any negative developments. Of particular concern is the possibility of Iran shutting off the Strait of Hormuz, through which around an estimated fifth of global oil supply traverses, according to the Commerzbank note. "Iran is reportedly ready to target US regional bases should Trump greenlight strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities," said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "Washington's refuelling jets are already en route, and if Fordow gets hit, expect the Strait of Hormuz to become a maritime minefield, Houthi drones to swarm Red Sea shipping lanes, and every militia from Basra to Damascus to light up American forward outposts." Markets Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta all sank, though Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei edged up. The losses followed a weak day on Wall Street, where a below-forecast reading on US retail sales for May -- dragged by a slowdown in auto sales -- revived fresh worries about the world's top economy. That came as another report showed factory output fell unexpectedly. Still, they did provide a little hope the Federal Reserve will eventually cut interest rates, with traders betting on two by the end of the year, according to Bloomberg News. Investors will be keeping track of the bank's latest meeting as it concludes later in the day, with most observers predicting it will stand pat. However, it is also due to release its rate and economic growth outlook for the rest of the year, which are expected to take account of the impact of Trump's tariff war. "The Fed would no doubt be cutting again by now if not for the uncertainty regarding tariffs and a recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East," said KPMG senior economist Benjamin Shoesmith. - Key figures at around 0230 GMT - West Texas Intermediate: FLAT at $74.83 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $76.37 per barrel Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.7 percent at 38,791.80 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.3 percent at 23,680.69 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,373.49 Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1498 from $1.1488 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3434 from $1.3425 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 145.15 yen from 145.27 yen Euro/pound: UP at 85.58 pence from 85.54 pence New York - Dow: DOWN 0.7 percent at 42,215.80 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 percent at 8,834.03 (close) dan/dhw Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
