Latest news with #B-2Bombers
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pickaxe Mountain, Site Near Natanz Facility, May Be Hiding Iran's Uranium
Despite US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of "complete obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities, nearly 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, a level dangerously close to weapons-grade, remains unaccounted for. In the days following the US B-2 Bombers striking Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran, reports have emerged that Tehran's nuclear ambitions might not be over yet. Add to that, US Vice President JD Vance 's statement that the stockpile was still in Iranian hands. In the middle of all this, attention has shifted to Pickaxe Mountain, a mysterious underground facility in Iran. The site, near the Natanz nuclear facility, has drawn renewed attention after satellite images revealed a fortified tunnel system and expanded security perimeter. Intelligence analysts believe the site may be housing uranium that was moved out before US and Israeli strikes hit key nuclear locations. Lines of cargo-style trucks were also spotted outside the Fordow facility right after the attacks. UN nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency, chief Rafael Grossi said Tehran has refused to explain what's happening at the site, "Since it is obvious it is in a place where numerous and important activities related to the program are taking place, we're asking them, what is this for? They are telling us, it's none of your business," as per The New York Post. Mr Grossi added it "cannot be excluded" that the tunnels are storing undeclared material. All About The Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Site In Iran Pickaxe Mountain is the informal name given to a fortified underground nuclear site near Natanz, already home to one of the country's main uranium enrichment facilities. The site is within the Zagros mountain range and consists of deep tunnels, bunkers, and an extended security perimeter. It is 145 km south of Fordow. Satellite imagery has shown ongoing excavation, new access roads, and hardened entry points, all suggesting a high-value, highly secure installation. It appears to be built to withstand airstrikes, including bunker-busting bombs. Defence analysts and nuclear experts believe the site could serve as a backup or concealed enrichment facility, or a storage location for uranium and sensitive equipment. Impact Of US Strikes A classified US report has found that President Donald Trump's airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites didn't do much but set its programme back by a few months. Officials told The New York Times that while two facilities were sealed off, underground structures remained intact and Iran retained most of its nuclear material, leaving it potentially six months away from building a bomb. The findings contradict Trump's claim that the sites were "obliterated." Tensions rose further Wednesday as Iran's parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Experts now warn that Iran may be ramping up uranium production at the secretive Pickaxe Mountain site. "A key question is whether Iran will, or maybe already has, secreted fissile material into Pickaxe or some other unknown facility," said Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Aggressor' To 'Peacemaker' In 2 Days: Trump And The Iran-Israel Thriller
New Delhi: Genius or Joker? Or the other joker who changes fortunes in a card game. If the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict is a tale of surprises, its protagonist is none other than US President Donald Trump. Two days ago, Trump shocked the world by bombing Iran and sparked fears of a global conflict. His detractors blamed him for dragging the US into a war, something he has often accused his predecessors of. Others mocked his Nobel Peace Prize aspirations. Today, the Republican leader is bragging about a lead role in the Middle East ceasefire. Teases Peace, Turns And Strikes On June 19, the White House said Trump would decide on the US joining the conflict within two weeks. Two days later, the US' B-2 Bombers had struck nuclear facilities in Iran. According to reports, the strike plan was already in the works when Trump issued a two-week deadline, prompting the adversary to drop its guard. In fact, few people in the White House knew of the strike beforehand. US Vice President JD Vance made a telling remark. Responding to a media query on when Trump made the decision, he said, "I don't know that any of us knew exactly when the President made the decision, except for the President himself." Trump, reports said, flooded officials with questions during the planning for the strike and kept stressing that he could abort it anytime. Op Midnight Hammer: A Show Of Strength Despite its calibrated nature, Operation Midnight Hammer amply showcased Washington's defence supremacy, sending a strong message to its global rivals. The US deployed its B-2 Bombers, unmatched for their stealth capabilities and firepower. These bombers dropped GBU-57 Bunker Busters, a 13,000-kg bomb that can penetrate up to 200 feet underground. Besides air power, the US also displayed its naval strength, with its submarines launching 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles to target Iranian targets. These high-end missiles can change targets in-flight through satellite communications and also provide battle damage information. All in all, the Operation Midnight Hammer was a show of strength -- and stealth -- and reinforced Washington's perception as a formidable fighting force. And Trump achieved this while ensuring zero damage to the US. Providing Exit Ramp To Iran Following the US airstrikes in Iran, Trump called Iran the "bully of the Middle East" and said Tehran must "make peace", failing which future attacks would be "far greater and a lot easier". But Washington knew conflict would not help the US geopolitically or Trump politically. Trump knew Tehran would need an exit ramp to step off the escalation path without losing popular domestic support. Hence, after Iran struck the US base in Qatar -- interestingly, after a warning -- Trump decided not to strike back. The US President put out a telling post. "I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done," he said. Shortly after, he announced a ceasefire pact between Tel Aviv and Tehran. In short, Trump showcased US military capabilities, struck Iran's nuclear bases and then claimed to have brokered peace -- without losing a single American soldier. A Nobel Wish Trump has long eyed a Nobel Peace Prize and has lamented that he wouldn't get it "no matter what I do". Earlier this year, the US President had claimed to have brokered peace between India and Pakistan during the conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack. While Pakistan has thanked the US for stepping in, India made it clear that it has never and would never accept mediation, that the ceasefire followed Islamabad's request for a truce. Recently, Trump posted on Truth Social, "No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me!" And now, within 48 hours, he has triggered global fears over oil supply by bombing Iran, and then calmed the apprehensions by announcing a ceasefire. Will throwing up one surprise after another take the US President closer to a Nobel? If the ceasefire in the Middle East eventually holds, Trump has bragging rights.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Inside Details Of White House Activity When US Bombed Iran Nuclear Sites
New Delhi: On June 19, the White House said US President Donald Trump will make a decision on the US joining the Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks. Two days later, the US' B-2 Bombers struck three nuclear facilities in Iran. Addressing the media, Trump called Iran the "bully of the Middle East" and warned that if Iran does not "make peace", the attacks that follow will be "far greater and a lot easier". According to a report in The Washington Post, even as Trump issued the two-week deadline, a strike plan was in the works at the White House, but very few people knew of it. Addressing the media after the airstrikes, General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Operation Midnight Hammer was highly classified, "with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of the plan". Many senior officials in Washington learnt of the strikes only after Trump posted on Truth Social. Was Trump Bluffing? A senior official told The Washington Post that Trump's two-week remark "was our attempt to throw the Iranians off guard". "But there was also some truth to it," added the official, detailing how Trump flooded officials with questions on how they planned to keep the operation surgical to prevent a serious escalation to the conflict. Trump, it is learnt, also stressed that he could abort the plan at any moment, up until the US aircraft reached Iranian airspace. From Diplomacy To Attack Mode According to US officials, Trump had repeatedly pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, but tilted towards military action as he felt Iran was unwilling to make adequate concessions during talks. On Friday, Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi met European officials. "He (Trump) knew there probably wouldn't be a breakthrough, which is why the Pentagon was putting together a plan" through the week, an official said. Friday's meeting "was a genuine effort by Europeans for diplomacy, but no interest from Iran at all", a senior diplomat involved in the meeting said. JD Vance's Word Of Caution Two top officials have told The Washington Post that several key government officials, including Vice President and Iraq War veteran JD Vance, advised caution during the talks on military action and gave suggestions on how the US must proceed. Vance, known to be sceptical about the US entering wars, wanted to "make sure all the tires were kicked" and risks to US forces were minimised. As Trump made up his mind about the strikes, Vance and the others supported him, White House officials said. The officials also referred to a "camaraderie" within the small team that knew what was coming and trashed reports of internal discord. The Day Of Attack After the stealth bombers took off on Saturday morning, the President and the Vice-President went on with the scheduled engagements. Trump went to his gold club in New Jersey, and Vance was on a flight returning from California. Their presence at fundraisers on opposite coasts dropped no hints for observers about what was in the works. As the bombers entered the Iranian airspace, Trump reached the White House. The airstrikes followed. Twenty minutes after the bombers had exited the Iranian airspace, Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social. According to US officials, Trump and Vance were in the Situation Room during the operation. Accompanying them were US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, among others. How US Tweaked Stand On Israel Strikes Just nine days before Operation Midnight Hammer, Rubio said Israel's action against Iran was "unilateral" and the US is "not involved". Washington seemed to be making it clear that Tel Aviv is acting alone. That changed in the coming days. On Monday, Trump warned Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, that he could easily be killed. The next day, he started referring to the US and Israel as a unit and claimed credit for the use of American equipment in Israel's aerial offensive against Iran. Trump's Chat With Those Who Did Not Agree According to The Washington Post report, Trump met influential aides such as Stephen K Bannon and Charlie Kirk and discussed the matter. Officials said he was happy to hear from Bannon and other voices critical of US involvement in this conflict, but they did not sway him. "He was listening to people across the ideological perspective. Ultimately, the president felt this is a decision the base should support and get behind, because ultimately, he's preventing a conflict that very well could have happened if the supreme leader instructed Iran to create a nuclear weapon," an official said. The Moment Trump Took The Call? According to top US government officials, there was no specific moment when Trump decided to bite the bullet. A senior official said the decision was based on "a feeling" as the President realised diplomacy would not lead to an acceptable outcome. JD Vance endorsed this. During a Meet The Press interaction, the US Vice President was asked when exactly Trump made the decision. "I don't know that any of us knew exactly when the President made the decision, except for the President himself," he replied. When the reporter persisted, Vance said he thinks that Trump "over time decided this was necessary". "But of course, he had the ability to call off this attack until the very last minute. He obviously decided to proceed."
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First Post
6 days ago
- General
- First Post
B-2 bombers that struck Iran took off from Whiteman Air Force Base. Here's what we know about the facility
Whiteman Air Force Base is integral to the US nuclear triad, offering a credible and resilient nuclear deterrent designed to influence adversaries' decision-making read more The GBU-57, or the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri. This is the only weapon that could take out the Fordow nuclear plant. File image/AP When the United States sought to hit Iran's most secure nuclear enrichment site at Fordow, it went with the most obvious choice of Bunker Buster bombs that can only be carried by the B-2 Bombers. These stealth bombers are only housed at one facility in the US– the Whiteman Air Force Base. Here's a look at what we know about the base. Home to 509th Bomb Wing Sixty miles southeast of Kansas City, amid the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Missouri, Whiteman Air Force Base serves as a key military installation with unique strategic significance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Home to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman is the only base globally that operates and maintains the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a centerpiece of the United States Air Force's conventional and nuclear combat force, according to the base's website. The B-2 Spirit bombers operated by the 509th Bomb Wing can deliver both nuclear and conventional munitions, providing unmatched flexibility and reach in strategic bombing and deterrence missions. This dual capability allows the United States to project air power rapidly to virtually any location worldwide, supporting a range of military strategies. Critical to the US nuclear triad Whiteman Air Force Base is integral to the US nuclear triad, offering a credible and resilient nuclear deterrent designed to influence adversaries' decision-making and enhance national security. Bombers based at Whiteman can respond swiftly to threats, making it a crucial component of America's global strike capability. Role in historic missions Throughout its operational history, Whiteman's 509th Bomb Wing has participated in major military engagements, including Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each deployment has demonstrated the unit's rapid response capability and global combat reach. The advanced technology and specialised mission at Whiteman Air Force Base position it prominently within the broader context of US national defence strategy, ensuring ongoing readiness for current and emerging global threats.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites: The beginning of the West Asian endgame?
The strikes through the B-2 Bombers delivering the GBU-57 Deep Penetration bombs may have upstaged everything that has happened so far. One thing is clear: all shackles are off, and the world stands on the brink of war read more A US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber (C) is flanked by 4 US Marine Corps F-35 fighters during a flyover of military aircraft down the Hudson River and New York Harbor past York City, and New Jersey, US, July 4, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo The US B-2 Bombers bombed Iran's most secure nuclear enrichment site at Fordow in the early hours of 22 June, bringing an end to a week of speculation about whether the US will relent to Israel's request. With 30 Tomahawk missiles striking the other two prominent nuclear sites at Isfahan and Natanz simultaneously, it appears that the US has severely damaged, if not destroyed, Iran's nuclear programme for a long time, if not forever. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, what it has perhaps unleashed is an all-out conflict in West Asia, which may not be restricted to only Iran and Israel now. Initial reactions from Iran suggest that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed, and many Western and American assets in West Asia could now be targeted by Iran and its proxies in the region. How Russia, China and other Arab nations will react is yet to unfold, but one thing is clear: all shackles are off now, and the world stands on the brink of war! Global events now seem to be moving in a direction quite at odds with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thoughtful assertion that 'this is not an era of war'. India was itself forced into a sharp but brief conflict with Pakistan following a dastardly terror attack in Kashmir on April 22, killing 26 innocent civilians. 'Operation Sindoor', launched by India, struck deep into Pakistan, causing unprecedented damage to the terror infrastructure as well as Pakistan's air and air defence capabilities. Although the conflict was called off after 96 hours, after Pakistan pleaded for an immediate ceasefire, tensions continue to simmer. Elsewhere in the globe, the situation is no better. The Russia-Ukraine war has completed three years since Russia launched 'Special Military Operations' in February 2022. Despite tall claims by US President Trump that he would end the war soon after taking over the presidency, the conflict has become more bitter in the past few weeks. The 'Operation Spider Web', launched by Ukraine on June 1, through smuggled drones into Russia, reportedly destroyed more than 40 combat aircraft of Russia, including strategic bombers and surveillance planes. Russia, in turn, has intensified ground as well as air operations in Ukraine, targeting key assets including the capital city of Kyiv. In addition, Russia has warned European countries that any direct military aid to Ukraine may draw them into the conflict as well, forcing the EU as well as other major countries in Europe to take urgent measures to upgrade their defence preparedness as well as increase their defence budgets exponentially. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In West Asia, the most conflict-ridden region since the end of World War II, the war in Gaza continues unabated. Every day brings in reports of Israeli strikes resulting in more deaths and destruction in Gaza. Latest official figures indicate that the death toll in Gaza has crossed 57,000, of which 70 per cent are women and children. Although there is no active conflict presently in neighbouring Lebanon and Syria, the undercurrent of unease and tensions continues. While the Lebanese army has assured Israel that it will keep Hezbollah on a leash, the possibility of Hezbollah's resurgence, primarily to support Iran in the future, cannot be ruled out. In Syria, although a swift military operation ousted the Assad regime in December 2024, the new government under Al Sharaa is still finding its feet, and reports of skirmishes continue. However, the most worrisome conflict is the Israel-Iran conflict. Initiated by Israel on 13th June, when Israeli strikes targeted and damaged Iran's nuclear enrichment sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. In addition, Israel has eliminated almost 20 of Iran's top military leadership and nuclear scientists. Iran's retaliation through missile strikes too made a significant impact in Israel by causing substantial damage in the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel's military headquarters, Haifa port city, and the Soroka hospital in Southern Israel. But the strikes through the B-2 Bombers delivering the GBU-57 Deep Penetration bombs may have upstaged everything that has happened so far. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite threats from the US of direct military intervention into Iran and demands that Iran surrender, Iran has refused to bow down to the threats. In turn, Iran has threatened to strike US military assets spread across more than 19 locations across West Asia. Also, the threat of closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the thin lifeline of crude oil and gas flow to the world, has caused panic and alarm across the globe, as any such disruption could cause a spike in crude oil prices, adding to the inflationary trends across the world. In addition, any strikes on US assets in the region would draw in the regional Arab neighbours directly or indirectly into the conflict, something that countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have successfully avoided since October 7, 2023. Towards the Indo-Pacific, China is quietly upping the ante. Over the past year, tensions between China and Japan soared after the near-continuous deployment of Chinese advanced surveillance naval vessels in Japan's contiguous zone. Recently, Japan reported a near collision when a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made 'abnormal approaches' to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. Also, conflicting claims and disputes over islands and maritime assets around the South China Sea, as well as China's claims over Taiwan, are a recipe for a conflict, even through an unintended trigger. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other regions like the Pakistan-Afghanistan border continue to remain conflict-prone, with frequent reports of cross-border skirmishes. Africa has its own share of conflicts and destruction through terror. In one recent incident, more than 150 people were killed in Nigeria's Yelewata community on June 13, when unknown assailants opened fire on villagers who were asleep. Conclusion The increasing range of conflicts in the world reflects the breakdown of the global order established after World War II. The emerging global powers like China and resurgent powers like Russia are challenging the space being ceded by the declining supremacy of the superpowers of the Cold War era. For India, this is not the time to be embroiled in any conflict. The priority is rapid and uninterrupted economic growth towards realising its vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The swift end to Operation Sindoor may have drawn criticism from many quarters, but every day of continued conflict would have imposed costs that would have had a direct bearing on the goal of a developed and self-reliant India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Col Rajeev Agarwal is a West Asia expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi. His X Handle is @rajeev1421. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
