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As Israel’s military campaign against Iran intensifies, fresh details have emerged suggesting that Jerusalem is preparing to target Iran’s highly fortified Fordow uranium enrichment facility — a move that could sharply escalate the ongoing conflict. The operation, reportedly supported by covert U.S. assistance, may involve advanced bunker-busting munitions aimed at neutralizing one of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear assets.
The Fordow site carved deep into a mountain south of Tehran, has so far remained untouched despite Israel launching its largest-ever aerial offensive on Iran last Friday. Heavily reinforced to withstand conventional airstrikes, the facility represents a critical node in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Military analysts suggest that the success of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion may hinge on whether Fordow is successfully neutralized.
“If Fordow is untouched when they’re finished, they would regard it as a failure,” said retired U.S. Marine General Frank McKenzie, former head of U.S. Central Command, during a recent security forum.
U.S. Weapons Quietly Transferred Before Initial Strikes
Behind the scenes, Washington appears to have played a more active role in enabling the Israeli offensive than previously acknowledged. Just days before the strikes began, the U.S. reportedly transferred around 300 Hellfire missiles to Israel — precision laser-guided weapons, though not designed to penetrate hardened underground targets like Fordow.
While the U.S. has not formally entered combat operations, intelligence sources indicate that the Biden administration had prior knowledge of Israel’s plans as early as April. Those plans reportedly included cyberattacks, targeted killings, and strategies to disable Iran’s nuclear program.
Although the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator — a 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb — remains under U.S. control, speculation is mounting that American military support could deepen if Iran retaliates directly against U.S. forces in the region.
“It is a uniquely American capability we’ve trained with over a number of years,” McKenzie noted, referring to the GBU-57A/B, which can only be delivered by the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Trump Abruptly Leaves G7 as Tensions Rise
Adding to the geopolitical turbulence, former President Donald Trump abruptly departed the G7 summit in Canada and returned to Washington without providing a clear explanation. He dismissed claims by French President Emmanuel Macron that his exit was related to a ceasefire initiative.
“My exit had nothing to do with a Ceasefire… much bigger than that,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay tuned!”
His cryptic remarks come as bipartisan calls for greater transparency over U.S. involvement in the conflict grow louder in Washington. Senator Tim Kaine has introduced legislation under the War Powers Act to limit the president’s authority to initiate military action against Iran without explicit Congressional approval.
G7 Appeals for De-escalation
Before Trump’s exit, G7 leaders issued a joint communiqué urging restraint on both sides and called for diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing for deeper U.S. engagement, framing the conflict as one of shared strategic interest.
“We’re not just fighting our enemy. We’re fighting your enemy,” Netanyahu said. “This could reach America soon.”
U.S. Bolsters Military Presence
Signalling heightened readiness, the U.S. has rapidly expanded its military footprint in the Middle East. The USS Nimitz carrier strike group is en route to the region, joining the USS Carl Vinson and several destroyers equipped with ballistic missile defence systems. More than 20 aerial refuelling tankers have also been spotted in transit, suggesting preparations for sustained air operations.
While Israeli officials claim they are prepared to strike Fordow independently, defence experts argue that a successful hit on the deeply buried site would likely require U.S. bunker-busting capabilities.
Huma Siddiqui
