Trump Mulls Iran Strike: Fordow Facility in Crosshairs

Amid escalating tensions, **Donald Trump** is reportedly weighing options for a potential strike against Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility. The former president’s deliberations involve complex military considerations, with the efficacy of conventional “bunker buster” bombs under intense scrutiny.

Fordow’s Vulnerability

**Trump** has indicated to defense officials that a U.S. strike on Iran might be justified only if the “bunker buster” bomb could guarantee destruction of the Fordow facility. Sources indicate that the GBU-57, a 13.6-tonne bomb, could eliminate Fordow. However, **Trump** seems unconvinced, potentially awaiting diplomatic overtures from Iran.

The Pentagon has deeply debated the GBU-57’s effectiveness. Defense officials have expressed that only a tactical nuclear weapon might penetrate the facility’s depth. Fordow, built underground, is a strategic asset.

Options Considered

While not considering a tactical nuclear weapon, the former president’s team acknowledges that conventional bombs alone might fail. Complete destruction, according to defense officials, would likely require softening the ground with conventional strikes. Then, a tactical nuclear weapon would be deployed from a B2 bomber.

“It would not be a one and done… It might set the program back six months to a year. It sounds good for TV but it’s not real.”

—Retired Maj Gen Randy Manner, Former DTRA Deputy Director

A successful strike faces significant hurdles, including GPS jamming, air defenses, and the need for precision. The bomb, designed for bunkers, requires a B2 bomber with air superiority and a reliable GPS signal. The IAEA found that Iran has enriched uranium to 83.7%, dangerously close to weapons grade. However, the Iranian regime has denied it, and has since enriched uranium to 60% purity. (IAEA 2024).

The Challenge of Fordow

The difficulty of striking Fordow arises from its location inside a mountain. The bomb has never faced a similar situation. Israel, lacking the necessary ordnance, is unable to strike the deep facility. Plans have considered commando raids, but these were rejected by **Trump**.

The situation underscores the complex nature of such a strike and what success would entail: dropping GBU-57s would likely set back Iran’s ability to obtain weapons-grade uranium for up to a few years, but not end the programme completely.