The US dropped six bombs, weighing about 14,000 kg, on the Fordow nuclear center

U.S. Strikes Iran’s Key Fordow Nuclear Facility with Powerful Bombs.

In a bold move, the United States launched a powerful bomb attack early Sunday morning on Iran’s significant Fordow nuclear plant. The site is thought to be one of the most secure nuclear facilities in the world, buried nearly 300 feet underground.

While Iran has not yet commented on the damage, the U.S. claims to have severely impacted the facility using the GBU-57, a bunker-buster bomb. This weapon, designed to penetrate deep underground fortifications, is only available to the United States, which deployed its advanced B-2 bombers for this operation.

These bombers carried and dropped six bombs weighing about 30,000 pounds each on Fordow. According to a report from the New York Times, an unnamed U.S. official provided details about the military action under the condition of anonymity.

Additionally, submarines launched 30 TLAM cruise missiles targeting locations in Natanz and Isfahan.

What are Bunker-Buster Bombs and How Do They Work?

The GBU-57, developed by the U.S., is one of the most powerful bombs designed to destroy fortified underground nuclear facilities. Fordow, long considered Iran’s most secure nuclear site, is located between 262 to 295 feet below a mountain.

The bomb weighs around 30,000 pounds (approximately 13.6 metric tons), but about 80% of this weight is due to its metal casing. The explosive materials account for the remaining 20% of its weight. Dropped from 12 kilometers above, the bomb’s sheer weight and the height from which it falls generate the force needed to penetrate thick concrete structures.

The bomb is equipped with technology that ensures it only detonates after piercing through protective layers of concrete, targeting the vulnerable areas of deep underground bunkers. This capability, the U.S. believes, has likely dealt a significant blow to the Fordow facility.