All about GBU-57, the 30,000-pound U.S. beast that could help Israel neutralize Iran's deepest threat
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Why Fordo Remains Intact
Meet the GBU-57: America's Deepest Bunker Buster
Will the U.S. Join the Fight?
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As Israel intensifies its military campaign against Iran, attention is shifting to a powerful American weapon that may be key to ending Tehran's nuclear ambitions: the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound "bunker buster" designed to destroy deeply buried targets like Iran's Fordo uranium enrichment facility.Five days into its surprise offensive targeting Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, Israel appears to be expanding operations. The Israeli military has ordered evacuations of over 330,000 civilians from central Tehran — a densely populated area home to around 10 million people — in what analysts see as preparation for further airstrikes.The Israeli Air Force claims to have achieved full aerial dominance over Tehran's skies and reported the destruction of over 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers, as well as two Iranian F-14 fighter jets. The Israeli military also claimed it had eliminated Gen. Ali Shadmani, the newly appointed head of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Iran has yet to confirm the death.Additionally, Israel struck 10 command centers belonging to Iran's Quds Force and issued evacuation warnings to areas housing government facilities, including state television and major hospitals.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel's strikes had set Iran's nuclear program back 'a very, very long time.' However, one critical target still eludes destruction: Iran's heavily fortified Fordo enrichment site.Buried deep within a mountain near Qom, the Fordo facility is considered nearly impervious to conventional airstrikes. To take it out, Israel would need the GBU-57A/B — a bomb it neither possesses nor can deploy.Built by Boeing, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal for targeting underground facilities. Key specifications include-Weight: Over 13,600 kg (30,000 pounds)Length: 6.2 metersExplosives: Carries 2,500 kg of high explosivesPenetration Depth: Can burrow through 60 meters of reinforced concrete or rockDelivery Platform: Only deployable by the U.S. Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomberThis bomb was specifically engineered to destroy hardened bunkers, tunnel networks, and nuclear facilities that conventional munitions can't reach.Reports suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump cut short his appearance at the G7 summit, possibly to attend a National Security Council meeting on the Middle East crisis. This has fueled speculation that the U.S. might intervene — or at least authorize Israel to use or be supported with the GBU-57 in a joint operation.Some military analysts believe multiple MOPs would be required to seal off Fordo completely — a move that would mark a turning point in the shadow war between Israel and Iran.Still, any U.S. involvement could trigger broader regional escalation and domestic political fallout, especially among isolationist voices warning against abandoning the 'America First' doctrine.
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