US Considers Nuclear Bunker Buster for Iran's Deeply Buried Fordow Facility

The United States is reportedly considering the use of its B61-11 nuclear bomb, a specialized bunker-buster weapon, to destroy Iran's deeply buried nuclear facility at Fordow, known as "Pickaxe Mountain." This facility is located approximately 100 meters underground within solid granite rock. Even the U.S.'s most powerful conventional bunker-buster, the GBU-57 MOP weighing 13.6 tons, is considered unlikely to fully destroy such a deeply entrenched structure. The B61-11, with a variable yield estimated between 340 and 400 kilotons, is designed to penetrate the earth and create a powerful seismic shockwave capable of collapsing deep tunnels and facilities, even without direct impact.

According to CNN, the U.S. military has developed comprehensive attack plans against Iran, which include the potential use of the GBU-43/B "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB). President Donald Trump has ordered the military to prepare various strike packages targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and key nuclear sites. However, U.S. military sources have expressed doubts about the MOAB's ability to penetrate granite rock, suggesting the B61-11 nuclear weapon is the only option theoretically capable of destroying the Fordow facility.

In parallel with discussions about the B61-11, a significant shift has occurred in U.S.-Israeli security assistance. President Trump announced the cessation of annual aid totaling approximately $4 billion by the end of the year, citing an agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel "no longer needs" it. While Israel can still purchase U.S. arms, this change impacts funding structures and procurement priorities, potentially accelerating local development or altering the IDF's heavy armament strategies, especially for hardened targets.

The recent U.S. midterm election results, which saw Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, are seen as a blow to both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. A growing progressive wing within the Democratic party is critical of Israel, particularly regarding military aid and arms exports. This shift could lead to increased calls for arms embargoes or significant restrictions on heavy munitions and advanced systems to Israel, making reliance on U.S. advanced weaponry less certain.

Israel has been actively countering Iran's nuclear program for over 15 years through cyber warfare, sabotage, assassinations, and attacks, including the Stuxnet worm in 2010 and mysterious explosions at the Natanz facility in 2020 and 2021. Despite these efforts, the increasing depth of Iran's facilities makes destructive damage more complex, underscoring the ongoing relevance of discussions about advanced weaponry.