Bunker-buster bombs ‘ineffective' against Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility; Top US general reveals why
The U.S. military deliberately avoided using bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Isfahan nuclear complex because the site's extreme depth rendered the weapons ineffective, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine confirmed in a classified Senate briefing. Isfahan's underground facilities reportedly store 60% of Iran's enriched uranium, critical for bomb development, buried beyond the reach of America's GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs). Instead, submarines launched Tomahawk missiles to strike surface structures. The disclosure, first reported by CNN, underscores tactical limitations against Iran's fortified sites. While B-2 stealth bombers dropped 14 bunker-busters on the shallower Fordow and Natanz facilities, Isfahan's geology demanded alternative tactics. CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted that most of Iran's nuclear material remains concentrated at Isfahan and Fordow, amplifying strategic concerns about untouched uranium reserves.
The decision highlights a stark gap between military capabilities and presidential rhetoric. Despite President Trump's claims that strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, an early Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment concluded core facilities survived, setting back enrichment only "by months."
Satellite imagery analyzed by weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis showed vehicles near Isfahan's tunnels days before the strike, with entrances reopened by June 27, suggesting uranium may have been moved. Technical analyses further indicate bunker-busters would have failed: Fordow's 90-meter depth exceeds the MOP's 25-meter penetration in medium-strength rock. At Isfahan, even 30,000-pound bombs couldn't reach chambers housing centrifuges. "Annihilated is too strong," conceded IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, though he acknowledged "enormous damage" to above-ground infrastructure.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told CNN on Thursday night, after receiving the briefing, that some of Iran's facilities 'are so far underground that we can never reach them. So they have the ability to move a lot of what has been saved into areas where there's no American bombing capacity that can reach it.'
Republican lawmakers emerged from briefings acknowledging uranium stocks likely endure but defended the mission's scope. 'There is enriched uranium in the facilities that moves around, but that was not the intent or the mission,' Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas was quoted as telling CNN. 'My understanding is most of it's still there. So we need a full accounting. That's why Iran has to come to the table directly with us, so the (International Atomic Energy Agency) can account for every ounce of enriched uranium that's there. I don't think it's going out of the country, I think it's at the facilities,' McCaul continued.
However, White House assertions clash with intelligence: Trump insisted "nothing was moved" pre-strike, despite DIA evidence of relocations and Israel's assessment of a "significant hit" (not total destruction).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Very wealthy people': Trump teases TikTok buyout, China fumes over possible takeover, ‘very soon' - The Economic Times Video
In a bold new twist to the TikTok saga, US President Donald Trump revealed on Fox News that a group of 'very wealthy people' in the United States is prepared to buy the Chinese-owned app TikTok. Trump teased that the buyers' identities will be revealed within two weeks. He also noted that the potential acquisition would likely require approval from China's President Xi Jinping, though Trump said he believes Xi 'will probably do it.'
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thomas Fugate: Grocery clerk leading nation's top terror post is US President's most shocking appointment
President Donald Trump appointed a 22-year-old recent college graduate with reportedly no national security expertise to lead the Department of Homeland Security 's main hub for terrorism prevention, sparking criticism from critics. Fugate was appointed to key terrorism-prevention role amid rising threats of retaliation from Iran continue following a US military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Fugate, with limited political experience and who once worked at an Austin-area H-E-B is now sitting at the helm of a key office within the US Department of Homeland Security tasked with helping prevent terrorism. He is leading the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships or CP3 at the DHS, ProPublica reported. ALSO READ: 'God help us all': Trump's appointment of 22-year-old college grad to terrorism unit amid Iran crisis faces backlash by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Books The Wealthiest People in the World Read That Poor People Never Open Blinkist Learn More Who is Thomas Fugate? Americans can't help but question their safety with the former 'gardener' being appointed as the head of the terrorism unit by the President of the United States. A former Trump campaign worker, Thomas Fugate is leading the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships—a division of the DHS that oversees terrorism prevention with his ability and qualifications triggering a barrage of questions from netizens. What is even more surprising about Thomas Fugate's appointment is his lack of experience, who graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio just a year ago. Fugate's LinkedIn profile showed no apparent national security experience. Live Events According to his LinkedIn account, he worked at Austin supermarket H-E-B as recently as August 2023 as a 'cross-functional team member.' ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate's appointment amid Iran tensions triggers controversy: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow brutally trolls Trump's pick 'I perform various activities around every department of the store, fulfilling key duties contributing to store operations,' Fugate wrote. His first job in 2020 was listed as a self-employed 'Landscape Business Owner.' Fugate wrote that his duties included 'mowing the yard, weed-whacking the weeds, edging around the yard, then the cleanup of debris.' In the year 2023, Thomas Fugate did an internship at the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation. The organization is behind the controversial Project 2025 vision for a complete overhaul of the federal government, according to Express US. A senior official at the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnership told ProPublica that 'due to his success' Fugate was 'temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities' at the agency. 'This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job,' the official told the outlet. ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate: A novice who replaced an army veteran to lead US terror prevention centre Trump Superfan Thomas Fugate faces criticism Many politicians and others on social media are questioning Fugate's capabilities in protecting America and Americans from the situation. Experts have compared the new hire for the Trump administration as "putting the intern in charge," according to ProPublica. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was among the leading Democratic voices who criticized Trump's secret Iran attack for putting a target on the backs of Americans abroad and at home. Murphy wrote, 'As our nation girds for possible Iranian terrorist attacks, this is the person Trump put in charge of terrorism prevention,' sharing a photo of Fugate. ALSO READ: Meet Thomas Fugate: 22-year-old ex-gardener and grocery store assistant to lead $18 million terror prevention team He added, '22 years old. Recent work experience: landscaping/grocery clerk. Never worked a day in counter-terrorism. But he's a BIG Trump fan. So he got the job.' The Republicans Against Trump X account added in a post, 'As major U.S. cities brace for possible terror attacks in response to the strikes on Iran, just a reminder of who Trump put in charge of terror prevention. God help us all.' "DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL SAFE? U.S. officials say Iran will likely mobilize terrorist cells worldwide, including on U.S. soil. Just a reminder Trump has placed Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old kid in charge of counterterrorism. He's a former grocery store clerk" wrote a person on X. "He's not had enough life experience to be able to handle this job. Jeez." added many others pointing out Fugate's life history and lack of experience. "Cause experience with shoplifters really prepares you for dealing with suicide bombers!" added another.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Over 170 environmental agency staff sign dissent letter on Trump policies
A group of Environmental Protection Agency employees on Monday published a declaration of dissent from the agency's policies under the Trump administration, saying they undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment. More than 170 EPA employees put their names to the document, with about 100 more signing anonymously out of fear of retaliation, according to Jeremy Berg, a former editor-in-chief of Science magazine who is not an EPA employee but was among non-EPA scientists or academics to also sign. The latter figure includes 20 Nobel laureates. The letter represents rare public criticism from agency employees who could face blowback for speaking out against a weakening of funding and federal support for climate, environmental and health science. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health made a similar move earlier in June. "Since the Agency's founding in 1970, EPA has accomplished (its) mission by leveraging science, funding, and expert staff in service to the American people. Today, we stand together in dissent against the current administration's focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterisation of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise," the letter read. Agency spokespeople did not immediately respond Monday to messages seeking comment. Employees want the EPA get back to its mission I'm really sad. This agency, that was a superhero for me in my youth, we're not living up to our ideals under this administration. And I really want us to, said Amelia Hertzberg, an environmental protection specialist at the EPA who has been on administrative leave since February from the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, while the administration works to close down her department. Hertzberg's work focused on the most vulnerable groups impacted by pollution: pregnant and nursing people, young children and babies, the elderly, people with preexisting and chronic health conditions and people living in communities exposed to higher levels of pollution. That wasn't supposed to be controversial, but it's become so in this political climate, she said. Americans should be able to drink their water and breathe their air without being poisoned. And if they aren't, then our government is failing, she said. Berg, who also directed the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at NIH from 2003-2011, said the dissent isn't motivated by partisan criticism. He said the employees hope it will help the EPA get back to the mission for which it was established which only matters if you breathe air and drink water". The letter outlines what the EPA employees see as five main concerns: undermining public trust; ignoring scientific consensus to benefit polluters; reversing EPA's progress in America's most vulnerable communities; dismantling the Office of Research and Development; and promoting a culture of fear, forcing staff to choose between their livelihood and well-being. EPA has cut funding and rolled back federal regulations Under Administrator Lee Zeldin, EPA has cut funding for environmental improvements in minority communities, vowed to roll back federal regulations that lower air pollution in national parks and tribal reservations, wants to undo a ban on a type of asbestos and proposed repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fuelled by coal and natural gas. Zeldin began reorganising the EPA's research and development office as part of his push to slash their budget and gut their study of climate change and environmental justice. And he's seeking to roll back pollution rules that an Associated Press examination found were estimated to save 30,000 lives and $275 billion every year. People are going to die, said Carol Greider, a Nobel laureate and professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who also signed the letter. She described last week's East Coast heat wave as evidence of the ways people are feeling the effects of climate change. And if we don't have scientists at the EPA to understand how what we do that goes into the air affects our health, more people are going to die, she added. Berg said the declarations of dissent from both the NIH and EPA employees are noteworthy because they represent scientists speaking out as their careers are on the line. Even non-agency employees have to consider whether the government will withdraw research funding. Greider, asked about fears of repercussions or retaliation, said she's living the repercussions of everything. She regularly meets with graduate students who are worried about pursuing scientific careers as labs lose funding. It's a long-term problem if we aren't supporting the next generation of scientists, she said: "That's decades worth of loss.
