Trump drags feet on Iran strike: Why he’s reluctant to approve 'bunker buster' attack on Fordow

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - File Photo

As tensions escalate between Iran and its regional adversaries, Israel is reportedly urging the United States to deploy its most powerful non-nuclear bomb – the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) – to strike deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites. The primary target? The Fordow uranium enrichment facility, a heavily fortified site buried deep within a mountain south of Tehran, which Israel and Western intelligence agencies view as one of the most resilient parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

What is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator?

The MOP is a 30,000-pound precision-guided bunker-busting bomb developed specifically to target hardened, deeply buried facilities such as command bunkers or nuclear sites like Fordow. Dropped from B-2 stealth bombers, the GBU-57 MOP can penetrate up to 200 feet of reinforced concrete. It is seen as the only conventional weapon in the US arsenal with a realistic chance of disabling Fordow, which is designed to survive conventional airstrikes.

Why Fordow matters?

Fordow represents the most protected part of Iran’s nuclear program. Originally exposed by Western intelligence in 2009, the facility is built into the side of a mountain near the holy city of Qom, surrounded by layers of rock and concrete. Iran has been enriching uranium at Fordow beyond the limits set by the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), bringing it closer to weapons-grade levels. This has heightened Israeli fears that Tehran is fast approaching breakout capability – the ability to produce a nuclear weapon on short notice.

Why is Trump hesitant?

Trump is uncertain about one thing – if the US joins Israel’s war and drops its massive bunker busters, will they actually destroy Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear facility?

Axios quoted US officials saying that Trump wanted to be sure about two things: first that such an attack wouldn’t drag the US into a prolonged war in the Middle East; and second, that the strike would actually achieve the purpose of destroying Iran’s nuclear program.

“We're going to be ready to strike Iran. We're not convinced yet that we're necessary. And we want to be unnecessary, but I think the president is just not convinced we are needed yet,” a US official was quoted as saying.

Axios quoted another US official saying that Trump has specifically asked his military advisers whether the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) would destroy Fordow.

Pentagon officials told Trump they were confident the bombs would work, according to one official. But it’s unclear if Trump was fully convinced.

The MOPs have never been used in combat, though they have undergone multiple tests during development, say current and former US officials.

"The bunker buster will work. It's not a capabilities issue. We have the capability. But there's an entire plan (for a possible attack). It's not just drop a bunker buster and declare victory," another top US official was quoted as saying.

"The end game for us is simple: no nuke," that official said. "It may be different for the Israelis. And we would be willing to, if it's within reason, go in there and do a surgical strike — maybe, if necessary" and if the president considers it "logical and effective," he added.

Could Israel strike alone?

While Israel does not possess the MOP or the B-2 stealth bombers needed to deliver it, Israeli officials reportedly believe they could still inflict significant damage to Fordow, even if they’re forced to go it alone. Recent Israeli military drills have simulated long-range strikes and bunker-busting scenarios, and the country has acquired advanced munitions and aircraft upgrades from the US to enhance its strike capabilities.

However, many defence analysts argue that without the MOP or equivalent firepower, Israel would likely fall short of fully neutralising Fordow — a facility built specifically to survive conventional strikes.

Regional risks

The potential consequences of a strike on Fordow are enormous. Iran has previously warned that an attack on its nuclear facilities would trigger a “severe and widespread” response, possibly involving proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, or militias in Iraq and Syria. A US or Israeli strike could ignite a broader regional conflict, drawing in US assets and allies and jeopardising vital energy routes and global oil prices.