International RelationsGS3-Security

Bunker-buster Bomb Used in U.S. Airstrikes on Iran

The U.S. used the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator in airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

June 23, 2025

Key Points

  • 1U.S. airstrikes targeted three sites in Iran, including a key uranium enrichment site, Fordo.
  • 2The Fordo site is about 90 metres in depth.
  • 3Israel’s best chance at destroying the facility at Fordo required the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
  • 4The MOP is designed to attack “deeply-buried facilities and hardened bunkers and tunnels” and is meant to destroy targets in well-protected facilities.
  • 5The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can carry and deploy two MOPs.

Important Terms

Bunker BusterGBU-57FordoIranB-2 Bomber
UPSC Current Affairs
Last Updated: 7/9/2025