Trump has threatened Iran with «bombing the likes of which they have never seen before» if Tehran does not sign a deal on its nuclear program.
Located deep below a mountain, Iran’s Fordow nuclear site was always going to be a tough target for Israel.
Israeli weapons would struggle to reach it—but the U.S.’s arsenal can. American B-2 Spirit bombers, equipped with one of the world’s heaviest non-nuclear bombs, are thought to be the only aircraft-and-bomb pairing able to destroy a target like the nuclear plant at Fordow.
The 30,000 pound GBU-57/B bunker buster, also known as the Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), would very likely be the weapon of choice if President Donald Trump gave the green light to U.S. involvement in Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.
So far, the White House has signaled a reluctance to wade into the fighting in the Middle East, now entering its fifth day.
The U.S. administration appears to be «keeping its options open» as of early morning on the east coast, Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., told Newsweek.
But Israeli sources say the mood in the country has changed overnight. It seems «more and more tangible» that the U.S. could become involved in targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, said Shuki Friedman, director-general at the Jewish People Policy Institute, an Israeli think tank.
Israel early on Friday local time launched «preemptive» strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile sites and other military facilities. Israel has continued to strike across the country as Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, some of which evaded Israel’s extensive air defenses.
«It’s possible we could get involved», Trump told ABC on Sunday. «But we are not at this moment involved.»What Has Trump Done So Far?
To embroil the U.S. in the conflict would be a significant step. Trump has warned Iran—which has cast the U.S. as already involved—that Tehran would face «the full strength and might» of the U.S. military on «levels you’ve never seen before» if Iran attacked the U.S. in any way.
Trump left the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, but said his early departure from the major meeting was not related to a deal to stop the fighting between Iran and Israel.
French President Emmanuel Macron had told reporters there was an «offer» on the table for a ceasefire. Trump, referencing the comments on his Truth Social platform, called the French president «publicity seeking», adding: «He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire.»
«Much bigger than that», Trump added. In a later post, the president called for residents of Iran’s capital to «immediately evacuate.» Fordow is roughly 100 miles from Tehran.
Trump separately told reporters on Monday he wanted a «real end» to discussions over nuclear capabilities with Tehran, with the country «giving up entirely» on nuclear weapons, according to a CBS reporter.
