Israel asks US for help to strike Iran's underground nuclear facilities: Report

Israel strikes Iran’s Natanz facility in bold bid to halt nuclear progress (File image)

Israel has formally requested military assistance from the United States to target underground Iranian nuclear facilities, according to a report by the open-source intelligence account OSINTdefender on X.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on June 14, OSINTdefender stated, “Israel has officially requested that the United States join its ongoing military operation against Iran, particularly in targeting underground nuclear facilities such as the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP).”

Israel has officially requested that the United States join its ongoing operation against Iran, particularly targeting underground nuclear facilities such as the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), which the Israeli Air Force does not have the means to effectively strike without

OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 14, 2025

This request reportedly stems from Israel’s inability to strike deeply buried sites like Fordow with its current arsenal. The Israeli Air Force lacks access to the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound “bunker buster” capable of destroying fortified underground structures.

According to OSINTdefender, “These locations are beyond the capability of the Israeli Air Force to strike without the use of American ‘bunker buster’ munitions like the GBU-57.” The Fordow facility, buried deep beneath a mountain near the city of Qom, is believed to be central to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. Successfully striking it would require advanced munitions currently held only by the US military.

Neither Israeli nor US officials have confirmed the request or commented publicly on the situation.