A bipartisan initiative in the US Congress seeks to authorize the provision of B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs to Israel should Iran resume its nuclear weapons program, according to New York Post. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the Bunker Buster Act to ensure Israel has the means to counter any nuclear ambitions from Iran, described as a leading state sponsor of terror.
Josh Gottheimer emphasized the urgency of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, stating, "Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror, and one of America's top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon. That's why I strongly supported our military actions earlier this month." He highlighted Iran's history of aggression against US service members and Israel, a key democratic ally, underscoring Israel's need to defend itself, as reported by New York Post.
Mike Lawler added, "This bill gives the President the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place," according to New York Post. The legislation would empower President Donald Trump to prepare Israel for potential contingencies involving Iran's nuclear program.
Last month, US B-2 bomber pilots conducted a significant operation, deploying 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on three Iranian nuclear sites. President Trump claimed the strikes "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, with the bombs penetrating up to 200 feet underground. Israel also participated in the attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
The International Atomic Energy Agency's chair, Rafael Grossi, confirmed to Radio France Internationale on Wednesday that centrifuges at Iran's Fordow nuclear site are no longer operational following the strikes. However, Grossi warned on CBS last week that Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months, stating, "The capacities they have are there. They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that."
Grossi further noted, "It is clear that there has been severe damage, but it's not total damage. Iran has the capacities there; industrial and technological capacities. So if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again." Despite rumors that Iran may have relocated enriched uranium before the strikes, US officials have denied these claims.
Currently, the US operates 19 B-2 stealth bombers, the only aircraft capable of delivering the massive bunker-buster bombs, and has not previously shared them with allies.
