Congress moves to arm Israel with America’s most powerful bunker-busting bombs and stealth bombers, delivering a lethal punch to Iran’s underground nuclear ambitions and challenging the regime’s defiance.
Key Takeaways
- Bipartisan “Bunker Buster Act” would authorize the transfer of B-2 stealth bombers and powerful GBU-57 bunker-busting bombs to Israel if Iran continues nuclear weapons development
- Israel currently lacks the capability to strike Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities, which are protected by up to 200 feet of reinforcement
- The U.S. recently deployed these weapons against Iranian nuclear sites, reportedly causing severe damage to Iran’s nuclear program
- Despite current setbacks, the IAEA warns Iran could potentially resume uranium enrichment within months
- The legislation, introduced by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY), has been proposed twice before but never advanced beyond the House floor
America’s Most Powerful Weapons for Israeli Defense
A new bipartisan effort in Congress aims to equip Israel with America’s most devastating weapons to counter the Iranian nuclear threat. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mike Lawler have introduced the “Bunker Buster Act,” legislation that would authorize President Trump to transfer B-2 stealth bombers and GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to Israel if Iran continues pursuing nuclear weapons development. These 30,000-pound precision-guided bombs can penetrate up to 200 feet of reinforced concrete, making them the only effective weapon against Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
The proposal comes on the heels of America’s recent military action against Iranian nuclear sites, where B-2 bombers and bunker-busting bombs were deployed with devastating effect. Currently, Israel lacks both the specialized bombs and the aircraft needed to deliver them, creating a strategic vulnerability that this legislation seeks to address. The United States maintains just 19 operational B-2 bombers and has historically never transferred these strategic assets to allies, making this proposal particularly significant in demonstrating America’s commitment to Israel’s security.
Iran’s Nuclear Threat Remains Despite Recent Strikes
While recent U.S. military operations reportedly caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, concerns remain about the regime’s ability to quickly reconstitute its weapons program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that centrifuges at Iran’s Fordow nuclear site are currently non-operational following American strikes, but experts warn this setback may be temporary. The deeply buried facilities at Fordow and Natanz were specifically designed to withstand conventional attacks, highlighting why the specialized bunker-busting capabilities are essential for effective deterrence.
“Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Despite claims of successfully “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear program in the recent strikes, intelligence suggests the industrial and technological infrastructure necessary to restart uranium enrichment remains largely intact. Some reports have even suggested that Iran may have moved enriched uranium away from targeted sites prior to the bombing, though U.S. officials have denied these claims. The resilience of Iran’s nuclear ambitions underscores the need for a more permanent deterrent solution.
Bipartisan Support for Maximum Deterrence
The Bunker Buster Act represents a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in addressing national security threats. Though the legislation has been proposed twice before without advancing beyond the House floor, the current geopolitical climate and recent military actions against Iran have created renewed momentum. Both Republican and Democratic sponsors emphasize that the bill is intended to strengthen U.S. national security by enabling Israel to serve as an effective deterrent against Iranian aggression in the region, particularly its nuclear ambitions.
“As Iran rebuilds its nuclear program, we must maintain maximum deterrence,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer. “My bipartisan Bunker Buster Act will give Israel the tools she needs to deter Iranian aggression and take out their underground nuclear sites — strengthening US national security.”
The legislation comes at a critical time when concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities are heightened. IAEA Chair Rafael Grossi has warned about Iran’s potential recovery timeline: “The capacities they have are there. They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that. But as I said, frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there,” stated Grossi.
While President Trump’s administration has demonstrated its willingness to take direct military action against Iranian nuclear sites, the Bunker Buster Act would provide Israel with an independent capability to enforce red lines against Iranian nuclear development. This approach aligns with the administration’s strategy of strengthening allies’ abilities to defend themselves while maintaining America’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
