Latest news with #GBU-57MassiveOrdnancePenetrators
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump warns US will attack Iran nuclear facilities again ‘if necessary'
US President Donald Trump on Monday (July 22) asserted that the American bombing had severely damaged Iran's key nuclear facilities, warning that Washington would attack again 'if necessary.' Trump's remarks came after Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, acknowledged the impact of the US strike, stating that the damage to his country's nuclear infrastructure was 'serious and severe'. However, he vowed that Iran would not give up on its nuclear enrichment program as it was now a 'question of national pride.' 'It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously we cannot give up of enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,' Araghchi told Fox News. 'Our enrichment is so dear to us.' Taking to his Truth Social handle, the US president said, 'Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, on the Iran Nuclear Sites: 'Damages are very severe, they are destroyed.' Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!' Nuclear facilities 'seriously damaged': Araghchi Iran's foreign minister, in an interview with Fox News, admitted that the extent of the damage to his country's nuclear facilities was severe but refused to comment on whether any enriched uranium survived the strikes. 'Our facilities have been damaged – seriously damaged,' Araghchi said. 'The extent of which is now under evaluation by our atomic energy organisation.' 'But as far as I know, they are seriously damaged,' he added. Araghchi has previously reiterated Iran's position that it would not accept any nuclear agreement that blocks its right to enrich uranium. The United States, on June 22, joined Israel's offensive against Iran and launched operation 'Midnight Hammer' to target three nuclear facilities of Iran, namely Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, and the operation involved 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 Stealth bombers. About two dozen cruise missiles were also launched at the Isfahan nuclear site from a submarine by the US military. One of the major strikes by the United States was on Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, buried deep below a mountain outside Tehran, and is considered vital to Iran's nuclear ambitions. At least 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) were dropped at the Fordow site. After the strikes, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Qatar, and the 12-day conflict between the two warring nations came to a pause on June 24. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust
Last Updated: Asim Munir, who had spent months manipulating Pakistan's political structure and suppressing dissent, was himself played by Donald Trump. In a seismic show of force, the United States on June 22 executed a devastating strike against Iran's core nuclear infrastructure. The Fordow enrichment complex, nestled deep within a mountain, was targeted by a fleet of B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers in what became the largest and second-longest B-2 mission in US military history. Almost simultaneously, 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines slammed into Iran's key sites at Isfahan and Natanz. President Donald Trump, never one to understate his actions, proclaimed later that day: '…The strikes have been spectacularly successful. Iran's key nuclear facilities have been completely and totally obliterated…" These weren't hollow words. The mission employed eight GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—each capable of delivering over 6,000 pounds of high explosives. Even if the bombs didn't reach the deepest subterranean vaults of Fordow, the sheer concussive force of nearly 48 tons of explosives in a confined space left little doubt: Iran's sensitive nuclear equipment is no longer operational. The devastation at Natanz and Isfahan—far more vulnerable sites—would be even more complete. The US had long harboured ambitions of dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure. But what had been missing for years was the political will. That changed in June 2025. With this one sweeping strike, 'Project Amad", Iran's covert nuclear program first initiated in the 2000s, now lies in ruins. The regime in Tehran, which drew its power and deterrence from nuclear ambiguity, has been jolted into a crisis. A Perfectly Sequenced Campaign with Israel Starting mid-June, Israel escalated to strategic targets inside Iran – hitting power grids, oil depots, tunnels, air bases, and even targeting nuclear scientists and senior commanders. The precision and lethality of these operations sent shockwaves through Iran's military and political hierarchy. Facing unprecedented disruption, the Iranian leadership retreated into digital silence, severely limiting communication and mobility. This inherently caused a paralysis in knowing, decision-making and acting against what was coming. Only once Israel had softened Iran's defences did the United States strike, leveraging its stealth capabilities and missile supremacy to hit targets only it could neutralise. The result was a textbook execution of a joint strategic playbook, demonstrating new levels of coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv. Grey Zone Warfare: A Six-Dimensional Offensive This campaign was a prime example of modern Grey Zone Warfare, waged across six interlinked domains: Diplomatic, Information (including intelligence), Military, Economic, Political, and Technological (DIME-PT). Diplomatically, it reshaped the power equations in West Asia. Militarily, it showcased stealth dominance and kinetic precision. Economically, it targeted critical infrastructure that funds Iranian regional influence. Politically, it cornered the Iranian regime at home and abroad. Technologically, it employed unmatched capabilities in cyber, stealth, and satellite warfare. Informationally, it seized the narrative, leaving no ambiguity about American resolve. Neither Russia nor China – Iran's supposed backers – made any significant move to deter or respond. India, historically friendly with both Iran and Israel, maintained strategic silence – an indication of tacit approval. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Iran's neighbour and erstwhile ally, found itself scrambling for relevance, and in the process, revealed the deep flaws in its strategic thinking. Pakistan: The Cost of Being Played In the lead-up to the US strike, Pakistan was caught playing a dangerous double game. Just a day before the bombing, Pakistan's government reportedly proposed nominating Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize – a surreal move given Trump's well-known hawkish stance on both Iran and Pakistan. Within 24 hours, the same government was publicly condemning Trump for bombing Iran's nuclear sites. This flip-flop was more than a diplomatic embarrassment – it exposed the strategic shallowness of Pakistan's power elite. The central figure in this misadventure was General Asim Munir, who had recently self-promoted to Field Marshal after India's Operation Sindoor, which shattered Pakistan's nuclear deterrence bluff. Seeking international validation, Munir flew to Washington and was hosted by Trump at a high-profile White House luncheon. Overwhelmed by praise, and blind to precedent, Munir appeared to miss a crucial detail: Trump had not forgotten his own words from 2018, when he declared: 'The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan. No more!" Yet here was Munir – naively believing flattery and symbolism would reset the clock. While he publicly signalled support for Iran, he quietly offered strategic cooperation to the United States, hoping to position Pakistan as a regional mediator. Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister, parroted this illusion on social media, claiming to have spoken to the Iranian President 'to express Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran." A Masterclass in Strategic Deception – But Not by Pakistan What played out was a masterclass in American strategic deception – not by Pakistan, but against Pakistan. Munir, who had spent months manipulating Pakistan's political structure and suppressing dissent, was himself played by Trump. In offering backdoor deals, mineral access, and intelligence cooperation, Pakistan hoped to regain Washington's trust. But Trump – and the US national security establishment – saw through it. Pakistan was using the same tactics it once employed with China, offering mineral rights and geostrategic leverage as bait. China learned its $64 billion CPEC lesson slowly. The United States learned it overnight. What remains is a country that has betrayed old allies like Iran, undermined its credibility, and overestimated its importance in a new regional order. A Self-Inflicted Wound The US strike on Iran was more than a military triumph – it was a strategic earthquake. For Pakistan, it exposed not just a diplomatic failure, but a crisis of judgement. Caught between old loyalties and new ambitions, Pakistan bet on the wrong strategy – and perhaps the wrong president. In the brutal clarity of international affairs, there are no rewards for sycophancy, only consequences. The United States acted decisively. Israel coordinated expertly. Iran miscalculated fatally. And Pakistan – well, Pakistan simply played itself. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Brigadier Brijesh Pandey Brig Brijesh Pandey is a veteran with distinguished career of 35+ years in Indian Army, specialising in Artillery and pioneering Information Warfare. Proven leader with expertise in strategic planning, More tags : Asim Munir donald trump Israel-Iran tensions pakistan view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 13:56 IST News opinion Opinion | Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Fordow nuclear site seriously, heavily damaged': Iran minister acknowledges damage at nuclear site in US bombing
First time acknowledging the impact of the US strike on Iran's key Fordow nuclear site, Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the American bombing has 'seriously and heavily damaged' the nuclear facility, CBS News reported. During an interview with CBS News broadcast on Tuesday, Araghchi said 'No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged.' However, a Washington Post report quoting four people familiar with classified intelligence circulating within the US government, stated that intercepted Iranian communications downplayed the damage caused by the American strikes on three key nuclear sites of Iran. FM @araghchi in an interview with CBS: The damage inflicted on the #Fordow nuclear site has been extensive and very serious.#Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful; we have no intention of moving toward nuclear weapons. — Iran's Today (@Iran) July 2, 2025 Detailing the Iranian report on strikes, Araghchi said 'The Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran… is currently undertaking evaluation and assessment, the report of which will be submitted to the government.' US President Donald Trump, while addressing the nation after the American military bombed Tehran's nuclear facilities, said the strikes 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's nuclear program. Though the US officials acknowledged last weekend that it'll take time to form a complete assessment of the damage caused by the American military strikes. The United States on June 22 joined Israel's offensive against Iran and launched operation 'Midnight Hammer' to target three nuclear facilities of Iran, namely Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan and the operation involved 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 Stealth bombers. About two dozen cruise missiles were also launched at the Isfahan nuclear site from a submarine by the US military. One of the major strikes by the United States was on Fordow nuclear enrichment facility buried deep below a mountain outside Tehran, and is considered vital to Iran's nuclear ambitions. At least 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) were dropped at the Fordow site. After the strikes, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Qatar and the 12-day conflict between the two warring nations came to a pause on June 24.
Mint
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
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).
Mint
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
US skipped bunker-busters at key Iran nuke site due to depth, general reveals
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). With Tehran now suspending IAEA access, confirming uranium's status remains impossible, leaving a critical void in assessing the operation's true impact.
