30,000-Pound ‘Bunker-Buster’: How American Bomb works; Why it is important for Israel’s strike on Iran
As the tension between Israeli and Iran increases, meditation has moved into one of the heaviest protected sites in the Islamic Republic: Fordo Atomic feature, deep burial within a mountain. Especially designed to avoid traditional attacks, Fordow represents an important node in Iran’s nuclear program – and destroying it is central for any serious effort to cripple Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. But there is a grip- only the United States has a weapon capable of entering the mountain.And US President Donald Trump repeatedly claims Iran, “not a nuclear weapon”, it also appears to be on the same page in all caps on the truth social, Israel and states.
What is ‘Bunker-Buster’ bomb?
Officially known as Ordnance Marmist (MOP), this 30,000-pound bomb is an achievement of engineering for a purpose-to eliminate deepened and firm goals. Usually called a “bunker-buster”, it was developed, when adversities such as Iran and North Korea revealed that including nuclear programs, were involved in underground to avoid air strikes.
- Size and Structure: 20 feet tall and 30,000 pounds weighing, MOP has a reinforced steel cover instead of a large explosive payload. This design enables it to remain intact when punching through the concrete, soil or rock of dozens of legs before exploding.
- Distribution system: Due to its large size, only
B -2 Spirit Stealth Bomber -A US-exclusive aircraft can carry and deploy.
Why does it matter to Israel
Israel has long expressed concern about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, especially in 2023 after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAA) that uranium in Fordo was enriched up to 83.7% purity – below the 90% threshold required for a nuclear weapon. But when Israel has fighter jets and intelligence capabilities, it lacks the MOP and the aircraft required to distribute it. The US has historically refused to provide this bomb to Israel, fearing that it may trigger a broad regional war.During Trump’s first term, US Central Command Commander General Joseph Votal said, “We have a longer policy for not providing Israeli because we did not want them to use them.”Instead, the US has used MOP occupation as a preventive, indicating that its underground facilities are still weak.
What are the alternative plans of Israel
Without access to MOP, Israel has developed casual plans to cripping Fordo indirectly:
- Striking support infrastructure: Israeli forces can target power generation and transmission sites that disrupt operation even when the main feature persists, interrupt operations.
- Secret operation, The Israeli commando can attempt to infiltrate and vandalize the site – a strategy is used by Israel before, mostly in Syria, where they destroyed a Hizbollah missile factory.
- Sealing of access, Another option involves destroying entrances and tunnels, providing inaccessible to convenience.
How difficult is it to target Fordow?
Fordow Natanz has the second nuclear enhancement place of Iran after its main convenience. To date, there is no indication that the Israeli strike has damaged Natanj’s underground promotion hall, nor has they targeted the tunnel network that is constructing Iran nearby.Small from Natanz, about 60 miles (95 km) in the south -west of Fordo Tehran, is embedded in a hill near QOM city. Construction is believed to be started in 2006, and the feature was operational in 2009 – Iran officially revealed its existence. The deeper below 80 meters (260 ft) of rock and the Earth, Fordow is also allegedly referred to by missile systems in the air from the surface supplied by both Iran and Russia. However, those air rescues are believed to have recently been compromised in the Israeli air strike. Despite his formidable security, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that the purpose of the mission to target Iran is to destroy its atomic and missile programs, which he sees as a threat to exist. According to Israeli officials, Fordo remains an important objective in that broader strategy.
