Illustrative image. (U.S. Army)
A bipartisan initiative in the United States Congress seeks to authorize the supply of B-2 stealth strategic bombers and GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to Israel should Iran resume its nuclear weapons program, the New York Post reported on July 2.
According to the outlet, representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mike Lawler introduced the Bunker Buster Act to ensure Israel has the means to counter any nuclear ambitions from Iran.
Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on June 13 with the stated aim of crippling the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
While the Israeli Air Force (IAF) was able to quickly gain aerial superiority over much of Iran, it became clear later on that it lacked the fire power needed to destroy key nuclear sites, especially the Natanz and Fordow underground uranium enrichment plant.
The U.S. stepped in on June 22, sending seven B-2 bombers to drop some 14 GBU-57 bombs on both Natanz and Fordow. A U.S. nuclear submarine also attacked a third site in Isfahan with more than some 30 BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.
A ceasefire was reached on June 24. The U.S. later said that the targeted sites were destroyed, but claimed that the attack only set Iran’s nuclear program one or two years behind.
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 what he said was a history of aggression by Iran against the U.S. and Israel, as reported by New York Post.
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 the New York Post. The legislation would empower President Donald Trump to prepare Israel for potential contingencies involving Iran’s nuclear program.
The B-2, which features low-observable stealth technology, was especially designed to penetrate dense air defense networks. It has a range of 11,000 kilometers, without aerial refuling.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) currently has 19 B-2s, but not all of them are in active service as the stealth bombers require extensive maintenance.
Supplying the bombers to the IAF, which has no experience with operating such aircraft, would be a complex task. The process could take years, even if the act proposed by Gottheimer and Lawler passed and President Donlad Trump approved the move.
Supplying Israel with the GBU-57, 14-ton precision-guided bunker buster bomb that can penetrate over 60 meters of fortifications, won’t be easier. The massive bomb is not known to be mass produced. In 2015, it was reported that the U.S. had only 20.
Other obstacles for supplying these systems include the facts that they both have some of the U.S. most secretive military technologies, and that their capabilities, especially those of the B-2, could allow the IAF to gain a strategic reach that goes way beyond Iran.
Despite these difficulties, Trump, who is known for his bold moves, could make the decision to supply Israel with the bombers and the bombs. This would give the ability to re-attack Iran without any direct help from the U.S. The decision to start a new war would be completely within Israel’s hands and Washington would deny any involvement.
Behind the scenes, the USAF could provide full technical support for the bombers, shortening the time needed to transfer them and denying the Israelis’ access to any classified technologies. Washington could also limit how the IAF could use the bombers by setting up several monitoring mechanisms.
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