US Plans Attack on Fordo Iran Nuclear Site
The potential attack on Fordo Iran's nuclear site has significant implications for the region, with the US's military presence and movements suggesting a possible escalation of tensions. The use of ballistic missiles and other military assets will be crucial in determining the outcome of any conflict.
The US military has been making movements that suggest a possible attack on Iran's Fordow nuclear site, with refuelling aircraft tracked heading east, potentially to support B-2 jets carrying bunker-buster bombs. The US has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East, but details remain vague to preserve operational ambiguity.
Ballistic missiles, which can travel at speeds of up to Mach 5, or 6,125 kilometers per hour, play a crucial role in the region's military dynamics. Iran has developed a range of ballistic and cruise missiles, while Israel has an advanced missile arsenal, including long-range and nuclear-capable systems. The US is the only country with a bomb large enough to destroy Fordow, and the B-2 is the only plane certified to carry it.
The deployment of B-2 bombers, which would be used to attack Fordow with 13.6-tonne bunker-buster bombs, has not been confirmed. However, the movement of 31 US Air Force refuelling aircraft towards Europe and the Middle East suggests a possible long-range air raid. An attack would require multiple impacts to destroy the facility, and the US may also consider targeting Iran's other nuclear enrichment site at Natanz.
The US has a second aircraft carrier strike group en route to the Middle East, and at least three US destroyers are in the eastern Mediterranean, indicating a readiness to mount an expanded attack. As tensions rise, the region holds its breath, awaiting the outcome of the US's plans for Fordo Iran.