Some MAGA Republicans are opposed to Israeli and Iran’s US policies
The Israeli-Iran conflict separates Republicans whether the US should be involved.
- The US owns the GBU-57 “Bunker Buster” bomb. This is only a B-2 stealth bomber designed for deep buried targets that can deliver 30,000 pounds of weapons.
- President Trump declined to comment on the US’s potential strike against Iran’s nuclear presence, saying the situation has changed dramatically.
While Israel and Iran continue to trade missiles in an escalating air conflict, President Donald Trump and his administration are considering possible US involvement, which could include participation in Israel’s strikes at Iran’s nuclear sites.
Trump declined to answer reporters’ questions about whether the US plans to attack Iran or its nuclear facilities, saying Iranians feel “very slow to speak.”
“There’s a huge difference a week ago,” Trump told reporters outside the White House. “No one knows what I’m trying to do.”
According to a report by USA Today, Israel is training to take Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s Ford nuclear facility is at the heart of its uranium enrichment efforts, buried underground about 300 feet deep, unable to reach uninfiltrated bombs.
Israel’s penetrating weapons cannot reach these underground facilities. US officials are not allowed to publicly speak to USA Today because they require a massive 30,000-pound weapon intruder (MOP) bomb, or “bunkerbuster.” It is equipped only with US-made B-2 fighter jets equipped to carry bombs.
Here’s what you need to know about this “Bunker Buster” bomb, the GBU-57.
What are massive weapon intruders?
According to the US Air Force, a large weapons intruder (MOP) is a weapons system designed to destroy weapons of mass destruction in well-protected facilities. It can only be delivered by US B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.
How deep is the “Bunker Buster” bomb?
The Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) 57, also known as the “Bunker Buster,” is a large, GPS-guided penetrating weapon designed to attack deeply buried targets such as bunkers and tunnels, according to the Department of Defense office for weapon testing and evaluation. It weighs 30,000 pounds, and although previous reports suggest that 200 feet can be invaded into the ground, there may have been many renewals of bombs over the past few years, including a $21 million renewal agreement in 2019, and its reach and other features have increased.
Contributions: Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today; Reuters.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.
