Bombers Aren't Involved, but Trump Pressures Iran - Israel Seeks US Strike on Fordo
Trump declares non-participation, yet issues Iran with threats
The United States has the capacity to target hardened facilities like Iran's Fordo uranium enrichment plant with its heavy bombers. However, the success of such an operation is uncertain, given the facility's mountain burial and the risk of radiological disaster.
According to US President Donald Trump, American military forces did not participate in Israel's attacks on Iran. Trump spoke out on the Truth Social platform, stating, "The USA didn't get involved in Iran's attack tonight." He cautioned Iran's leadership against attacking US bases, hinting at a massive retaliation if provoked. Trump also called for a deal over Iran's nuclear program. "We could easily broker a peace between Iran and Israel, putting an end to this endless conflict," Trump announced.
Israel seeks US intervention in its ongoing conflict with Iran, reportedly asking the Trump administration to join the war. Their goal is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. Yet, Israeli military capabilities are limited, as they lack the required heavy bombers and bunker-busting bombs needed to destroy Forto's deep underground facility. America, on the other hand, has these assets at its disposal and is within striking range of Iran.
Fordo, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tehran, is protected by mountains and is one of Iran's most secure nuclear installations. Despite its advanced defenses, attacks from Israel or the US would carry their own set of risks. The facility's burial deep within a mountain and its heavy fortification pose considerable technical challenges, and there's a high risk of radiological contamination in the event of an attack. A potential radiological disaster, coupled with international condemnation, could further worsen geopolitical tensions.
- Donald Trump
- USA
- Israel
- Iran
Further Insight:
The U.S. Air Force operates heavy bombers, such as the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52 Stratofortress, which can deliver massive payloads, including precision-guided munitions and bunker-buster bombs like the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). However, penetrating deeply buried, mountain-hardened facilities like Fordo is extremely challenging. There's also a risk that a strike could cause significant radiological contamination, potentially creating a "dirty bomb" scenario. Notably, Fordo's deep burial and heavy fortification make it difficult for even advanced U.S. bunker-busters to guarantee success. Beyond technical challenges, there are geopolitical and humanitarian risks associated with an attack on Fordo.
Sources: ntv.de, ara/dpa, Axios
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