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Daily Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict
AFP | Washington, United States A powerful American bunker-busting bomb is the only weapon capable of destroying Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities, making it President Donald Trump's weapon of choice if he chooses to militarily back Israel. The GBU-57, a 30,000-pound (13,607 kg) warhead capable of penetrating 200 feet (61 meters) underground before exploding, is missing from Israel's arsenal despite its stated goal of preventing Iran from building a nuclear bomb. - Why this bomb? - In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations, raising more questions than answers. "The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a conservative-leaning group. "But there are still outsized questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear program," Taleblu said. 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, Fordo is buried deep 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. Former US Army lieutenant general and Rand Corporation defense researcher Mark Schwartz insists that "only the United States has the conventional capacity" to destroy such a site. And by "conventional capacity," he means the non-nuclear GBU-57 bomb. - What are its capabilities? - The US military says the GBU-57 -- also named Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- "is designed to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding," navigating through rock and concrete. This differs from missiles or bombs that typically detonate their payload near or upon impact. "To defeat these deeply buried targets, these weapons need to be designed with rather thick casings of steel, hardened steel, to sort of punch through these layers of rock," said Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defense for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based research center. The 6.6-meter-long GBU-57 also has a specialized fuse because "you need an explosive that's not going to immediately explode under that much shock and pressure," Dahlgren said. Design for this bomb began in the early 2000s, and an order for 20 units was placed with Boeing in 2009. - How is it deployed? - The only aircraft capable of deploying the GBU-57 is an American B-2 Bomber, a stealth aircraft. Some of these bombers were deployed in early May on Diego Garcia, the site of a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, but were no longer visible by mid-June, according to AFP's analysis of satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs. With their long-range capabilities, B-2s departing from the United States "are able to fly all the way to the Middle East to do bombing runs. That's been done before," Dahlgren said. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57 bombs, and Schwartz said multiple bombs will likely be needed. "They're not going to just be one and done," he said. Schwartz added that the air superiority Israel has established over Iran reduces the risks faced by the B-2 bombers. - What are the consequences? - Such a US intervention would come with "a lot of political baggage for America," Taleblu said, emphasizing that the bunker-buster bomb is not the only way to address Iran's nuclear program. Without the GBU-57 bombs, and short of a diplomatic solution, Taleblu said Israelis could attack access to underground complexes like Fordo by "trying to hit entrances, collapse what they can, cut electricity" and take other measures that have already been taken at Natanz.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
About US GBU-57, Only Buster Bomb Capable Of Hitting Iran's Nuclear Sites
Washington: A powerful American bunker-busting bomb is the only weapon capable of destroying Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities, making it President Donald Trump's weapon of choice if he chooses to militarily back Israel. The GBU-57, a 30,000-pound (13,607 kg) warhead capable of penetrating 200 feet (61 meters) underground before exploding, is missing from Israel's arsenal despite its stated goal of preventing Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Why This Bomb? In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations, raising more questions than answers. "The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD), a conservative-leaning group. "But there are still outsized questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear program," Mr Taleblu said. 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, Fordo is buried deep 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," Mr Taleblu said. Former US Army lieutenant general and Rand Corporation defence researcher Mark Schwartz insists that "only the United States has the conventional capacity" to destroy such a site. And by "conventional capacity," he means the non-nuclear GBU-57 bomb. What Are Its Capabilities? The US military says the GBU-57 -- also named Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- "is designed to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding," navigating through rock and concrete. This differs from missiles or bombs that typically detonate their payload near or upon impact. "To defeat these deeply buried targets, these weapons need to be designed with rather thick casings of steel, hardened steel, to sort of punch through these layers of rock," said Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defense for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based research center. The 6.6-meter-long GBU-57 also has a specialized fuse because "you need an explosive that's not going to immediately explode under that much shock and pressure," Mr Dahlgren said. Design for this bomb began in the early 2000s, and an order for 20 units was placed with Boeing in 2009. How Is It Deployed? The only aircraft capable of deploying the GBU-57 is an American B-2 Bomber, a stealth aircraft. Some of these bombers were deployed in early May on Diego Garcia, the site of a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, but were no longer visible by mid-June, according to AFP's analysis of satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs. With their long-range capabilities, B-2s departing from the United States "are able to fly all the way to the Middle East to do bombing runs. That's been done before," Mr Dahlgren said. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57 bombs, and Schwartz said multiple bombs will likely be needed. "They're not going to just be one and done," he said. Schwartz added that the air superiority Israel has established over Iran reduces the risks faced by the B-2 bombers. What Are The Consequences? Such a US intervention would come with "a lot of political baggage for America," Mr Taleblu said, emphasising that the bunker-buster bomb is not the only way to address Iran's nuclear program. Without the GBU-57 bombs, and short of a diplomatic solution, Mr Taleblu said Israelis could attack access to underground complexes like Fordo by "trying to hit entrances, collapse what they can, cut electricity", and take other measures that have already been taken at Natanz.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict
AI- Generated Image WASHINGTON: A powerful American bunker-busting bomb is the only weapon capable of destroying Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities, making it President Donald Trump 's weapon of choice if he chooses to militarily back Israel. The GBU-57, a 30,000-pound (13,607 kg) warhead capable of penetrating 200 feet (61 meters) underground before exploding, is missing from Israel's arsenal despite its stated goal of preventing Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Why this bomb? In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations, raising more questions than answers. "The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD), a conservative-leaning group. "But there are still outsized questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear program," Taleblu said. 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, Fordo is buried deep 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Former US Army lieutenant general and Rand Corporation defence researcher Mark Schwartz insists that "only the United States has the conventional capacity" to destroy such a site. And by "conventional capacity," he means the non-nuclear GBU-57 bomb. What are its capabilities? The US military says the GBU-57 -- also named Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- "is designed to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding," navigating through rock and concrete. This differs from missiles or bombs that typically detonate their payload near or upon impact. "To defeat these deeply buried targets, these weapons need to be designed with rather thick casings of steel, hardened steel, to sort of punch through these layers of rock," said Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defence for the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based research centre. The 6.6-meter-long GBU-57 also has a specialized fuse because "you need an explosive that's not going to immediately explode under that much shock and pressure," Dahlgren said. Design for this bomb began in the early 2000s, and an order for 20 units was placed with Boeing in 2009. How is it deployed? The only aircraft capable of deploying the GBU-57 is an American B-2 Bomber, a stealth aircraft. Some of these bombers were deployed in early May on Diego Garcia, the site of a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, but were no longer visible by mid-June, according to AFP's analysis of satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs. With their long-range capabilities, B-2s departing from the United States "are able to fly all the way to the Middle East to do bombing runs. That's been done before," Dahlgren said. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57 bombs, and Schwartz said multiple bombs will likely be needed. "They're not going to just be one and done," he said. Schwartz added that the air superiority Israel has established over Iran reduces the risks faced by the B-2 bombers. What are the consequences? Such a US intervention would come with "a lot of political baggage for America," Taleblu said, emphasizing that the bunker-buster bomb is not the only way to address Iran's nuclear program. Without the GBU-57 bombs, and short of a diplomatic solution, Taleblu said Israelis could attack access to underground complexes like Fordo by "trying to hit entrances, collapse what they can, cut electricity" and take other measures that have already been taken at Natanz.
France 24
9 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict
The GBU-57, a 30,000-pound (13,607 kg) warhead capable of penetrating 200 feet (61 meters) underground before exploding, is missing from Israel's arsenal despite its stated goal of preventing Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Why this bomb? In less than a week, the Israeli army has taken out Iranian military commanders and damaged numerous surface installations, raising more questions than answers. "The regime's missile stockpiles, launchers, military bases, production facilities, nuclear scientists, military command and control has taken a very severe beating," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, director of the Iran program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a conservative-leaning group. "But there are still outsized questions as to how efficacious of a strike Israel had against the beating hearts of Iran's nuclear program," Taleblu said. 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, Fordo is buried deep 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. Former US Army lieutenant general and Rand Corporation defense researcher Mark Schwartz insists that "only the United States has the conventional capacity" to destroy such a site. And by "conventional capacity," he means the non-nuclear GBU-57 bomb. What are its capabilities? The US military says the GBU-57 -- also named Massive Ordnance Penetrator -- "is designed to penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding," navigating through rock and concrete. This differs from missiles or bombs that typically detonate their payload near or upon impact. "To defeat these deeply buried targets, these weapons need to be designed with rather thick casings of steel, hardened steel, to sort of punch through these layers of rock," said Masao Dahlgren, a fellow working on missile defense for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based research center. The 6.6-meter-long GBU-57 also has a specialized fuse because "you need an explosive that's not going to immediately explode under that much shock and pressure," Dahlgren said. Design for this bomb began in the early 2000s, and an order for 20 units was placed with Boeing in 2009. - How is it deployed? - The only aircraft capable of deploying the GBU-57 is an American B-2 Bomber, a stealth aircraft. Some of these bombers were deployed in early May on Diego Garcia, the site of a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, but were no longer visible by mid-June, according to AFP's analysis of satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs. With their long-range capabilities, B-2s departing from the United States "are able to fly all the way to the Middle East to do bombing runs. That's been done before," Dahlgren said. Each B-2 can carry two GBU-57 bombs, and Schwartz said multiple bombs will likely be needed. "They're not going to just be one and done," he said. Schwartz added that the air superiority Israel has established over Iran reduces the risks faced by the B-2 bombers. What are the consequences? Such a US intervention would come with "a lot of political baggage for America," Taleblu said, emphasizing that the bunker-buster bomb is not the only way to address Iran's nuclear program. Without the GBU-57 bombs, and short of a diplomatic solution, Taleblu said Israelis could attack access to underground complexes like Fordo by "trying to hit entrances, collapse what they can, cut electricity" and take other measures that have already been taken at Natanz.
Fox News
05-03-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Russian missile experts visited Iran amid growing military ties
Russian military experts visited Iran on two occasions in 2024 as Tehran looked to expand its cooperation with Moscow while its network of resistance suffered devastating blows amid war with Israel. "Russian missile specialists don't just appear out of the blue," Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital. "Alarm bells should be going off in Washington and Jerusalem," Taleblu added. Senior missile and air defense experts traveled to Tehran in April and September 2024, Reuters reported, as Iran was embroiled in regional confrontation with Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack. FDD's Taleblu said the visit is proof that any effort to divorce Russia from Iran will be self-defeating for the United States. It is unclear exactly what kind of cooperation was discussed during these visits. Nicholas Carl of the American Enterprise Institute notes that it comes at a time when Iran is looking to Russia for further air defense support and Russia is buying Iranian drones and missiles to use against Ukraine. Experts, including Carl, agree that Russia and Iran are increasingly collaborating to keep one another strong and in pursuit of their mutual objective of eroding U.S. global influence. Cooperation between Russia and Iran has intensified since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. Iran came to Russia's aid and supplied drones and ammunition when its forces faced stiff resistance from Ukraine, while Iran in 2023 purchased Russian fighter jets and helicopters. Moscow and Tehran further deepened their partnership in January after signing a 20-year "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty," although the pact does not have a collective security agreement. The revelations come as the Kremlin said future Russia-U.S. talks will include discussions over Iran's nuclear program. Bloomberg reported that Moscow agreed to assist the U.S. in talks over Iran's nuclear program, although Kremlin officials refused to confirm, and instead said that it would merely be a topic of discussion. Andrea Stricker, who focuses on nonproliferation at FDD, told Fox News Digital that, if true, outsourcing Iran nuclear talks to Russia is not a recipe for success. "As a key ally, Moscow has a vested interest in keeping Iran close to the nuclear threshold. If he pursues diplomacy, Trump should accept no less than the full, permanent, and verified nuclear disarmament of Iran," Stricker added. Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, during his first term in 2018 and reapplied harsh economic sanctions. The Biden administration had initially looked at re-engaging with Iran on the nuclear issue upon taking office, but on-again-off-again talks went nowhere, complicated by Iran's domestic politics and its role in supporting its terror groups in the region. Putting a halt to Iran's nuclear program could be an issue where the U.S. and Russia find common ground. Since returning to the White House, President Trump has sought to improve relations with Russia, which were mostly cut off by the Biden administration after Russia invaded Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. officials met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia last month and agreed to improve relations, expand economic ties, and ultimately bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
