According to Axios, Washington is actively considering a strike on an Iranian nuclear facility using the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, one of the most powerful non-nuclear bombs. The target would be the deeply buried Fordow complex, hidden in Iran’s mountains, which U.S. officials believe is being used to enrich uranium with potential military applications.
This move is seen not as an imminent plan but as a show of strength to push Tehran toward concessions in negotiations. Sources indicate that B-2 bombers, capable of carrying the GBU-57, have been deployed to Diego Garcia, a strategic base in the Indian Ocean, allowing the U.S. to operate without entering the airspace of neighboring countries.
Fordow’s fortified location has long been considered nearly impervious to attack. Even Israeli experts acknowledge that only specialized weapons like the MOP could destroy such a target. This makes the threat of its use more of a diplomatic lever than an immediate military strategy.
Iran firmly denies pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting its program is purely civilian and compliant with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In response to military preparations, Tehran has bolstered air defenses around key sites and warned of readiness to retaliate against U.S. assets in the region.
Analysts caution that escalation could destabilize the Middle East and derail fragile diplomatic efforts. While no strike decision has been made, the mere discussion underscores the precarious balance in U.S.-Iran relations.
