Why Israel Needs the US to Take Out Iran’s Underground Fordo Nuclear Facility
In the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Israel has ramped up its efforts to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities through targeted airstrikes on various facilities. Despite these campaigns, the Fordo nuclear enrichment plant remains a significant challenge. Buried deep underground and fortified against conventional attacks, Fordo has become a focal point in discussions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the potential for military action.
As Israeli officials acknowledge, airstrikes alone have not sufficed to dismantle the elaborate security measures protecting Fordo. The facility, concealed within the mountains, poses a unique threat not only due to its location but also due to the extensive advancements Iran has made in its nuclear program. Analysts stress that traditional aerial weapons lack the capability to penetrate the fortified facility effectively, which makes a direct military confrontation more complicated.
Enter the United States and its specialized weaponry. The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), commonly known as the ‘bunker buster,’ represents a potential game changer in this delicate equation. Designed to penetrate hardened targets, the GBU-57 is the most powerful bomb in the US arsenal specifically engineered for such high-risk missions. However, its use would necessitate American military involvement, raising questions about the implications of a larger conflict in the region.
Experts indicate that multiple MOPs would be required to sufficiently cripple the Fordo site, and this would necessitate coordination with US forces, specifically pilots flying the B-2 stealth bombers equipped to deploy this advanced ordinance. The collaboration between Israel and the US is crucial; without it, Israel may find itself limited in its ability to neutralize the nuclear threat posed by Iran effectively.
This situation presents a complex dilemma for the Biden administration as it navigates the intricacies of regional alliances and the potential fallout of military action. The decision to launch strikes against the Fordo facility would not only affect US-Iran relations but could also reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics and influence global diplomatic stances toward nuclear proliferation.
As Israel continues its airstrikes against a backdrop of escalating tensions, the reliance on American military support highlights the intricate web of alliances and the challenges of addressing nuclear threats in a region fraught with volatility. Whether the US will engage in a more active role remains to be seen, but the stakes involved suggest that a critical juncture is looming on the horizon.
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Video “Why Israel needs the US to take out Iran's underground Fordo nuclear facility | DW News” was uploaded on 06/19/2025 to Youtube Channel DW News