Latest news with #nuclearstrike
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Where B-2 stealth bombers' mission to strike Iran started in the U.S.
A group of elite B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that took flight from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri early on the morning of June 21 headed for Iran, taking part in a mission to bomb three nuclear sites that President Donald Trump revealed hours later. The B-2 bombers conducted a series of strikes on targets in Iran, a senior Defense official confirmed. Those targets were Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in Iran, the president revealed in a social media post just before 8 p.m. ET, saying it was a "very successful attack." The B-2s, valued at roughly $2 billion a piece, are known not only for their stealth technology, but for their ability to fly long range and carry big "bunker busting" bombs designed to penetrate deeply-buried bunkers and facilities. Whiteman Air Force Base, southeast of Kansas City, Missouri, is home to the entire fleet of 19 B-2 stealth bombers and proclaims it "can project U.S. airpower anywhere around the world from its home station." Its 509th Bomb Wing is part of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The B-2 Spirit is a long-range stealth bomber, equipped to carry the heaviest U.S. bombs and nuclear weapons. Its design and materials limit its ability to be detected by enemy radar. Its flying wing design, composite materials and coating reduce its radar cross section, according to an updated Congressional Research Service report released June 18. All B-2s are nuclear-capable, equipped to carry nuclear gravity bombs, but not cruise missiles, the Research Service stated. It's the only aircraft equipped to carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or GBU-57, known as the "bunker buster" bomb. The B-2 has a total crew of two pilots. A wingspan of 172 feet and a length of 69 feet. Weighs 160,000 pounds. Each can hold two of the GBU-57s. Its design and build cost has been estimated at around $2 billion. More: B-2 bomber returns home to Edwards AFB for upgrades on 35th anniversary of first flight The bombers had been deployed at least once earlier in the year. Reuters, quoting unnamed U.S. officials, reported in April that as many as six bombers had been deployed to a U.S.-British military based on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. During Operation Allied Force, the B-2 was responsible for destroying 33% of all Serbian targets in the first eight weeks, flying nonstop to Kosovo from Missouri and back, according to the Air Force. During Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-2 flew from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back, the Air Force said. Its first ever combat deployment took place during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when it flew 22 sorties from a forward operating location, as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman. In total, the Air Force reported the bombers released more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. In the waning days of the Obama administration in 2017, two B-2 bombers were among a fleet that dropped more than 100 bombs southwest of Sirte, Libya in strikes against the Islamic state and al-Qaeda terrorist targets. In October 2024, the U.S. attacked Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with B-2 bombers. At the time, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strike by the bombers "was a unique demonstration of the United States' ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified." Contributing: Reuters, Kim Hjelmgaard, John Bacon, Kathryn Palmer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: B-2 stealth bombers took off from the US on mission to strike Iran
New York Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
America Strikes Iran
Last night, the U.S. entered the war with Iran. President Trump upended decades of diplomacy when he sent American warplanes and submarines to strike three of Iran's nuclear facilities — including Fordo, its top-secret site buried deep inside a mountain. The bombs fell at about 2:30 a.m. local time. In an address from the White House, Trump said the goal of the strikes was to keep Iran from building a nuclear weapon. He claimed the facilities had been 'completely and totally obliterated,' but the extent of the damage is not yet clear. Trump also called for the war to end. 'Iran, the bully of the Mideast, must now make peace,' he said. He threatened 'far greater' attacks if it did not. Still, the war continues: Iran said today that it wasn't open to diplomacy right now. It launched missiles into Israel early this morning, wounding at least 16. Israel responded with its own strikes on Iran. More than 40,000 American troops are stationed in the region, and the U.S. is expecting retaliation. (See American bases that Iran could strike.) The U.S. attack was an 'extraordinary turn for a military that was supposed to be moving on from two decades of forever wars in the Middle East,' our colleagues Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt and Julian Barnes wrote. Below, we explain the strikes and what could happen next. What were the targets? Status of U.S.A.I.D. programs 5,365 terminated Climate resilience in Honduras Citizen engagement and democracy in Syria H.I.V./AIDS prevention for children in Rwanda Emergency food assistance in Ethiopia 891 programs remain 891 programs remain 5,365 terminated H.I.V./AIDS prevention for children in Rwanda Citizen engagement and democracy in Syria Emergency food assistance in Ethiopia Climate resilience in Honduras Note: Data is as of May 7. Source: New York Times analysis of internal and public databases By The New York Times Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
US B-2 bombers, bunker-busters used in Iran strike
The B-2 is one of America's most advanced strategic weapons platforms. Photo: US Department of Defense / AFP The US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were involved in strikes on Iran's nuclear sites . Three Iranian nuclear sites were struck in a "very successful attack", President Donald Trump said on Saturday (local time), adding that the crown jewel of Tehran's nuclear programme, Fordow, was gone. The B-2 is one of America's most advanced strategic weapons platforms, capable of entering sophisticated air defences and delivering precision strikes against hardened targets, such as Iran's buried network of nuclear research facilities. The US B-2 costs about US$2.1 billion (NZ$3.5b) each, making it the most expensive military aircraft ever built. Made by Northrop Grumman, the bomber, with its cutting-edge stealth technology, began its production run in the late 1980s, but was curbed by the fall of the Soviet Union. Only 21 were made, after the Pentagon's planned acquisition programme was truncated. The bomber's range of more than 11,112 km without refuelling enables global strike capabilities from continental US bases. With aerial refueling, the B-2 can reach virtually any target worldwide, as demonstrated in missions from Missouri to Afghanistan and Libya, and now Iran. Its payload capacity of more than 18,144 kg allows the aircraft to carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber's internal weapons bays are specifically designed to maintain stealth characteristics, while accommodating large ordnance loads that could include two GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator), a 13,600kg precision-guided 'bunker buster' bomb. Reports said six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow research site. The B-2's two-pilot crew configuration reduces personnel requirements, while maintaining operational effectiveness through advanced automation systems. Iran's Fordow research site on 14 June, 2025, well before it was hit by a reported six bunker-busters. Photo: AFP The B-2's stealth technology incorporates radar-absorbing materials and angular design features that minimise detection by enemy air defence systems. Its radar cross-section is reportedly comparable to that of a small bird, making it nearly invisible to conventional radar. The 13,600kg MOP represents the largest conventional bomb in the US arsenal, specifically engineered to defeat hardened underground bunkers. Its massive size requires the B-2 to carry only one or two MOPs per mission, but provides unmatched bunker-penetration capability. The weapon's 6.25m length and GPS-guided precision targeting system enable accurate strikes against specific underground facilities. Its penetration capability of more than 60 metres through hardened concrete makes it effective against the world's most protected underground installations. Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) provide the B-2 with precision conventional strike capability against fixed targets. These GPS-guided weapons can be deployed in large numbers, with the bomber capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets with high accuracy. Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) extend the aircraft's engagement range, while maintaining stealth characteristics during approach. These glide bombs allow the B-2 to strike targets from outside heavily defended airspace perimeters. Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) offer long-range precision strike capability with their own stealth features. The extended-range JASSM-ER variant provides strike options against targets over 800km) away. The B-2 Spirit serves as a key component of America's nuclear triad, capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons with stealth and precision. The aircraft can carry up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs. - Reuters
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Trump's move against Iran may draw more criticism from MAGA's anti-interventionists
President Donald Trump's decision to strike three nuclear sites in Iran will almost assuredly draw more criticism from some of the Republican's supporters, including high-profile backers who had said any such move would run counter to the anti-interventionism he promised to deliver. The lead-up to the strike announced Saturday exposed fissures within Trump's 'Make American Great Again' base as some of that movement's most vocal leaders, with large followings of their own, expressed deep concern about the prospect of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war. With the president barred from seeking a third term, what remains unknown is how long-lasting the schism could be for Trump and his current priorities, as well as the overall future of his 'America First' movement. Among the surrogates who spoke out against American involvement were former senior adviser Steve Bannon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., commentator Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point. Part of their consternation was rooted in Trump's own vocalized antipathy for what he and others have termed the 'forever wars' fomented in previous administrations. As the possibility of military action neared, some of those voices tamped down their rhetoric. According to Trump, Carlson even called to 'apologize.' Here's a look at what some of Trump's biggest advocates had said about U.S. military involvement in Iran: On Wednesday, Bannon, one of top advisers in Trump's 2016 campaign, told an audience in Washington that bitter feelings over Iraq were a driving force for Trump's first presidential candidacy and the MAGA movement. 'One of the core tenets is no forever wars,' Bannon said. But the longtime Trump ally, who served a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, went on to suggest that Trump will maintain loyalty from his base no matter what. On Wednesday, Bannon acknowledged that while he and others will argue against military intervention until the end, 'the MAGA movement will back Trump.' Ultimately, Bannon said that Trump would have to make the case to the American people if he wanted to get involved in Iran. 'We don't like it. Maybe we hate it,' Bannon said, predicting what the MAGA response would be. 'But, you know, we'll get on board.' The commentator's rhetoric toward Trump was increasingly critical. Carlson, who headlined large rallies with the Republican during the 2024 campaign, earlier this month suggested that the president's posture was breaking his pledge to keep the U.S. out of new foreign entanglements. Trump clapped back at Carlson on social media, calling him 'kooky.' During an event at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said that Carlson had 'called and apologized' for calling him out. Trump said Carlson 'is a nice guy.' Carlson's conversation with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that day laid bare the divides among many Republicans. The two sparred for two hours over a variety of issues, primarily about possible U.S. involvement in Iran. Carlson accused Cruz of placing too much emphasis on protecting Israel in his foreign policy worldview. 'You don't know anything about Iran,' Carlson said to Cruz, after the senator said he didn't know Iran's population or its ethnic composition. 'You're a senator who's calling for the overthrow of a government, and you don't know anything about the country.' The Georgia Republican, who wore the signature red MAGA cap for Democratic President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in 2024, publicly sided with Carlson, criticizing Trump for deriding 'one of my favorite people.' Saying the former Fox News commentator 'unapologetically believes the same things I do,' Greene wrote on X this past week that those beliefs include that 'foreign wars/intervention/regime change put America last, kill innocent people, are making us broke, and will ultimately lead to our destruction.' 'That's not kooky,' Greene added, using the same word Trump used to describe Carlson. 'That's what millions of Americans voted for. It's what we believe is America First.' The far-right conspiracy theorist and Infowars host posted on social media earlier in the week a side-by-side of Trump's official presidential headshot and an artificial intelligence-generated composite of Trump and former Republican President George W. Bush. Trump and many of his allies have long disparaged Bush for involving the United States in the 'forever wars' in Iraq and Afghanistan. Writing 'What you voted for' above Trump's image and 'What you got' above the composite, Jones added: 'I hope this is not the case…' Kirk said in a Fox News interview at the start of the week that 'this is the moment that President Trump was elected for.' But he had warned of a potential MAGA divide over Iran. Days later, Kirk said that 'Trump voters, especially young people, supported President Trump because he was the first president in my lifetime to not start a new war.' He also wrote that 'there is historically little support for America to be actively engaged in yet another offensive war in the Middle East. We must work for and pray for peace.' In Kirk's view, 'The last thing America needs right now is a new war. Our number one desire must be peace, as quickly as possible.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
The Australian
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Liberal Andrew Hastie's grim prediction moments before Donald Trump confirmed Iran strike
Coalition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie made a grim prediction on the future of the Israeli-Iran conflict, stating that 'diplomacy will probably fail' and we would likely 'see a strike of some sort'. Moments later, Donald Trump confirmed the US had 'completed our very successful attack' on three nuclear sites in Iran, dropping a 'full payload of bombs' on Fordow – a uranium enrichment site buried 90m inside a mountain. Two other nuclear sites in Natanz and Esfahan were also targeted. Posting on Truth Social at 9.40am Sunday, the US President confirmed the planes were now 'outside of Iran air space' and were 'safely on their way home'. Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie's comments on a likely strike from the US came moments before Donald Trump confirmed news on Truth Social. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire His comments come just days after he said a decision would likely come 'within the next two weeks'. Appearing on ABC's Insiders on Sunday, Mr Hastie – a former SAS commander – said while he hoped negotiations would see Iran willingly stand down its nuclear programs and subject themselves to independents inspections, he feared it would escalate further. 'We have to take this seriously. Iran is a deeply ideological regime, committed to the destruction of Israel. The supreme leader said he wants to wipe Israel off the map,' he told host David Speers. 'I suspect diplomacy will probably fail and we will see a strike of some sort (in) the next two weeks. 'It will be tough for innocent people caught in the war.' 'It's sometimes better the devil you know' Asked about the ramifications of the US involvement amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Mr Hastie warned a collapse of the Iranian regime could cause 'large-scale migration and refugees across the world' and a power vacuum in the Middle East. 'If there's one lesson that I take out of Iraq and Afghanistan and Libya, be careful what you wish for,' he said. 'You know, it's sometimes better the devil you know. 'Particularly for stability once those structures of order - as bad as they might be under a tyrannical regime like that in Iran - when there is no order at all and it's just chaos, it's a very dangerous situation for the people of Iran, but also the rest of the world.' Acknowledging the US could not 'pull up the drawbridge' and roll up decades of economic, diplomatic, and strategic interest, Mr Hastie said any decision was ultimately one for Mr Trump. He also warned of the risks posed by Iran's nuclear program. 'One thing is clear, if you're Iran and you survive this conflict with your regime intact and the nuclear program intact, I think you're going to move at best speed to build a bomb to put yourself in the strongest position the next time this happens,' he said. 'Who knows how they would use a nuclear weapon if they got one? It wouldn't just be for Israel potentially.' Mr Hastie also backed the Labor government's approach to date, which has focused on calling for further dialogue between the US, Iran and Israel, while also condemning Iran for its nuclear programs. 'I think broadly speaking they've made it clear, Iran shouldn't get a nuclear weapon,' he said. 'Israel has a right to self-defence. We want to see this war ended quickly. That's mine and the Coalition's position. 'I think Foreign Minister (Penny) Wong made that clear as well.' Read related topics: Donald Trump Jessica Wang NewsWire Federal Politics Reporter Jessica Wang is a federal politics reporter for NewsWire based in the Canberra Press Gallery. She previously covered NSW state politics for the Wire and has also worked at and Mamamia covering breaking news, entertainment, and lifestyle. @imjesswang_ Jessica Wang
