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Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Where is the Ayatollah? Iran's fanatical leader, 86, not seen in a WEEK – as CIA confirms Trump obliterated nuke sites
HIDDEN TYRANT Where is the Ayatollah? Iran's fanatical leader, 86, not seen in a WEEK – as CIA confirms Trump obliterated nuke sites IRAN's fanatical supreme leader has not been seen in a week while his country now reels from being hammered by Israel in the "12 Day War". Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, is hiding away in a bunker deep below ground despite the ceasefire as he fears being assassinated by secret agents, the New York Times reports. 4 Iran's supreme leader is in hiding despite the ceasefire 4 B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers destroyed Iran's nuke plants with bunker buster bombs (stock image) Credit: Alamy 4 Donald Trump has slammed reporting saying that the strikes didn't destroy the plants 4 The Ayatollah was last seen by Iranians a week ago Credit: Reuters The supreme leader was last seen a week ago in a video message, but it's two weeks since he appeared to his people in the flesh. Iranians have been left wondering why he hasn't yet emerged with one official saying everyone should be "praying" for the leader. Mehdi Fazaeli, the head of Khamenei's archives office, told state television in an interview that those protecting the Ayatollah had done their "job well". He said: "God willing, our people can celebrate victory next to their leader, God willing." Iran has framed the conflict internally as a big victory - despite Israel seizing air superiority and wiping out 150 missile batteries. But the Ayatollah's disappearance comes as speculation is swirling about his succession. Khamenei is thought to have intensified the search for his successor while he hid away in the bunker in case he was killed. Factions inside Iran may now be battling to have their favoured candidate announced as the heir apparent. The Ayatollah is in a very weak position - with his military being hammered by the IDF in what Donald Trump has dubbed the "12 Day War". Iran is also set to meet with the US for further talks next week as the Americans look to put Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon to bed. It comes as the CIA says Trump's weekend blitz on Iran with B-2 stealth bombers dropping bunker busters has left key nuclear sites 'destroyed'. In a bombshell statement, the Agency's director John Ratcliffe confirmed 'several key Iranian nuclear facilities' were wiped out and must be completely rebuilt. Ratcliffe said: 'The CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran's Nuclear Program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes. 'This includes new intelligence from a historically reliable and accurate source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.' It comes after Trump slammed reporting of an initial US leaked intelligence analysis that said the plants hadn't been totally wiped out. White House officials have also called for the arrest of whoever leaked it. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the person responsible for leaking the classified Iran intelligence report should face jail time. Leavitt said the memo had been 'discredited' by U.S. and Israeli officials - and even by Iran itself. Iran has said the plants are "badly damaged" while the Israel Atomic Energy Commission found that the underground Fordow nuclear site was 'inoperable'. The FBI is investigating the leak. Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Explained With Animation: US Drops Bunker Buster Bombs On Iran Nuke Site
The US on Sunday used the air force's B-2 Spirit Stealth bombers to unleash "bunker buster" bombs on the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant - Iran's most secretive and heavily protected nuclear facility buried beneath a mountain. Three Iranian nuclear sites were struck in a " very successful attack," President Donald Trump said, adding that the crown jewel of Tehran's nuclear program, Fordow, was gone. What Are Bunker Busters? A bunker buster is a broad term used to describe bombs that are designed to penetrate deep underground before detonating. The US-made Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), officially known as GBU-57 A/B, is the world's most powerful non-nuclear bunker buster. Weighing around close to 14,000 kg, the MOP was developed to destroy hardened and deeply buried targets, such as underground bunkers and nuclear facilities. Designed by Boeing, the MOP is built with a high-strength steel alloy casing that can survive deep penetration through rock and reinforced concrete. It carries a powerful explosive payload of about 2,400 kg, allowing it to destroy deeply buried targets with a delayed-action detonation system. This means it explodes only after it has tunnelled deep into a structure, maximising internal damage. Equipped with GPS and inertial navigation systems, the MOP is designed for high accuracy. Its guidance system ensures the bomb hits within a few metres of its target, even in difficult combat conditions. The bomb can reportedly penetrate up to 200 feet (about 60 metres) of reinforced earth or concrete, making it far more powerful than older weapons like the GBU-28 or BLU-109. On Sunday, the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was used to drop the GBU-57 MOP on the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Reports said six bunker buster bombs were used on Fordow. The B-2 is one of America's most advanced strategic weapons platforms, capable of entering sophisticated air defenses and delivering precision strikes against hardened targets such as Iran's buried network of nuclear research facilities. The extent of damage caused by the GBU-57 MOP on the Fordow site could not be immediately ascertained.
