As the Israel-Iran conflict continues unabated and U.S. negotiations with Iran have yet to produce a deal, six B-2 stealth bombers are reportedly headed to Guam, and it’s possible they’re carrying bunker-busting bombs thought to be capable of destroying Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear complex.
The bombers apparently refueled after launching from Missouri, suggesting they launched without full fuel tanks due to a heavy onboard payload, which could be bunker-buster bombs.
The B-2 can carry two 15-ton bunker-buster bombs—which only the U.S. possesses. Experts say the bombs could be critical to targeting Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear site: Fordow.
Reports say the bombers have refueled already after taking off, indicating that they launched without full fuel tanks, likely due to a “heavy onboard payload”. The extra weight could be the bunker-busters bombs.
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As we reported, the White House said that Trump would give up to two weeks to continue negotiating before he made a final decision on whether to join Israel in the fight against the Islamic Republic.
As we wrote, Fordow (sometimes spelled Fordo) presents a formidable challenge for Israel and the U.S.:
It’s buried deep within a mountain and would be extremely difficult to demolish. Israel reportedly does not have the weapons or technology to do it on its own and would need U.S. help to obliterate it.
The big picture: Israel will require unforeseen tactical ingenuity or U.S. assistance to destroy Fordow, which is built into a mountain and deep underground. But if the facility remains intact and accessible, a nuclear program Israel is determined to "eliminate" could actually accelerate.
- "The entire operation... really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow," Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told Fox News on Friday.
- That's why the Israeli government hopes the Trump administration ultimately decides to join Israel's operation.
More: The One Crucial Site Israel Still Needs to Take Out to Stop Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program
It’s not the only move the U.S. is making regarding air power:
Additional Air Force F-22, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets have crossed Europe and are now at bases in the Middle East, or are arriving there, a U.S. official said on Saturday. The jets could escort B-2 bombers that could target Fordo, or protect U.S. bases and troops in the region in the event of Iranian retaliatory strikes.