U.S. Prepares Massive Ordnance Penetrator for Potential Iran Strike

In the midst of weighing one of the most significant foreign policy decisions of his presidency, the United States possesses extensive military resources in the Middle East and globally, which could be deployed in a potential conflict with Iran. These resources include powerful bombs, long-range stealth bombers, aircraft carrier strike groups, navy destroyers, and U.S. military personnel. If the decision is made to more directly support Israel, several options are available, including B-2 bombers, some of which are stationed in the U.S., while others are already deployed to the Middle East or en route.

High-level officials in the U.S. are reportedly preparing for a possible attack on Iran in the coming days. Iran has endured some of the most severe military strikes in decades, with Israel targeting its nuclear and military infrastructure, destroying key facilities, and resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking officials. However, if the situation escalates and the U.S. becomes more directly involved, one weapon stands out as particularly effective.

The Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), also known as the "bunker buster," weighs 30,000 pounds and is the world's largest precision-guided weapon. This GPS-guided bomb, assembled by Boeing, is repeatedly touted as the only weapon capable of delivering a fatal blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions. To achieve this goal, it must successfully strike the heavily fortified uranium enrichment facility at Fordow.

Fordow is buried deep within a mountain, believed to be 60 to 90 meters below the surface. Many experts believe that only the MOP can cause significant damage to this facility, a weapon that the U.S. possesses exclusively. Each MOP can be independently targeted and deployed, allowing one MOP to be precisely placed on top of another. This capability, along with reconnaissance by drones in the region, can help the military optimize the strike plan at the last moment. The U.S. has been studying Iran's nuclear facilities, including Fordow, for years.

Whether to use this weapon could be one of the most critical decisions facing the U.S. president. It could alter Iran's decision-making regarding its nuclear program, as deploying the MOP would require the involvement of U.S. aircraft and pilots, placing the U.S. at the core of any offensive military action against Iran. If Israel can achieve the desired outcome through its own actions, that would be the optimal scenario. However, if U.S. involvement is necessary to strike the Fordow facility, that decision would rest with the U.S. president.

Deploying the MOP involves another critical military asset: the B-2 stealth bomber, which can carry two MOP bombs. The B-2 would need to take off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, fly thousands of miles, and deliver the bombs deep into Iranian territory. In October of last year, the U.S. demonstrated the power of its B-2 fleet when bombers took off from Whiteman Base and struck underground weapons facilities supported by Iran. Earlier this year, up to six B-2 bombers were spotted on the runway of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a deployment seen by many as a signal to Iran and the Houthi rebels. The U.S. Air Force confirmed that these planes had returned to base in May.

If a decision is made to take action against Iran, the Central Command, responsible for the U.S.'s long-term military presence in the Middle East, will play a key role. Its forces are spread across multiple countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and include personnel from various branches of the military and special operations forces. The defense secretary has ordered the deployment of additional combat capabilities to this command. According to a defense official, the U.S. government is also dispatching up to 20 KC-135 and new KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft to undisclosed locations to expand the operational range of U.S. air power.

These resources will provide the U.S. president with greater flexibility in formulating a course of action. According to the latest data from Central Command, the total number of U.S. military personnel in the region is between 40,000 and 45,000, including personnel from the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. The Navy will also play a crucial role, with its resources supporting operations against Iran and already deployed to assist Israel in defending against Iranian retaliation. The "Carl Vinson" aircraft carrier strike group has been deployed in the Arabian Sea for seven months, with approximately 3,000 sailors on board and an additional 2,000 personnel in its air wing.