US Strike Targets Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Facility
The United States deployed seven B-2 stealth bombers to deliver 14 bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site. Former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo revealed operational details in a Sky News Australia interview. He said the aircraft flew east from Missouri, dropping the bombs from high altitude to penetrate Fordow’s underground infrastructure.
Penetration of Reinforced Mountain Base
Pezzullo said the Fordow site sits under about 100 metres of reinforced rock and concrete. The bombs used were Massive Ordnance Penetrators, each weighing 13.5 tonnes and designed for deep infrastructure destruction. “Precision-guided, so they’ll go into the same hole or create multiple shafts,” Pezzullo said. “Once the inner wall is breached, it’s all over.”
Figure 1: The Image shows extensive damage at the Fordow underground complex
Destructive Force and Oxygen Elimination
Pezzullo explained the energy release inside the subterranean chambers rendered the facility unsalvageable. “That compressive energy just destroys everything that’s got oxygen in it,” he said. He described the likely target area as 60 to 80 metres deep, with a 20-metre hall containing the centrifuges.
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B-2 Bombers Deliver Multiple Munitions
The strike involved repeating fire into the same shaft to guarantee a decisive impact. “In order to ensure that it’s a decisive kill, they would have put a number of others in through the same hole,” Pezzullo said. This created entry points to reach the cavernous halls containing uranium enrichment infrastructure.
Figure 2: Defence expert and former chief of the Department of Home Affairs Mike Pezzullo
Fighter Jets Supported the Bombers
Fighter aircraft likely included F-22s, F-35s, and electronic attack jets. These cleared airspace and neutralised threats ahead of the bombers. The primary objective remained Fordow’s underground centrifuge operation.
Route and Airspace Details Explained
Pezzullo confirmed the bombers flew east, over the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. He said the UK likely received prior notification to provide emergency access to its Cyprus base. “If they’d gone west, I think we’d be having a very different conversation,” he said. He explained that previous missions over Yemen had required different routing and possibly involved Australian coordination.
Australia Uninvolved in Fordow Strike
Pezzullo clarified Australia was not consulted for this mission. He said the lack of involvement reflected the route direction. He noted that Australia’s participation typically involves refuelling, overflight approval, or access to military bases.
Policy Framework Required for Future Support
Pezzullo called for a formal Australian policy on allied strike support. “I think the government’s going to have to come up with a new policy framework,” he said. He added that this would include not only support declarations but also statements of prior knowledge.
Strategic Context of the Strike
The US operation targeted Fordow’s capacity to enrich uranium deep underground. The site, long a concern for Western intelligence, features heavily fortified underground halls. The airstrike aimed to destroy this infrastructure using maximum force and precision delivery.
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Damage Assessment Underway
A complete assessment of the Fordow facility remains in progress. No official Iranian response to the full extent of damage has yet been issued. International observers continue monitoring satellite imagery and intelligence reports.
Massive Ordnance Penetrator Specifications
Each MOP weighs 13.5 tonnes and contains a 2.5-tonne explosive charge. These weapons are designed to penetrate deep into hardened targets and explode with directional force. Only the B-2 stealth bomber can carry and deploy MOPs.
Operational Secrecy and Allied Notification
Pezzullo’s comments highlight the operation’s limited briefing among international allies. He said briefings were likely limited to essential partners only, such as the UK. He said prior notification remains rare unless overflight or support is required.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The strike on Iran’s Fordow site signals a renewed focus on subterranean nuclear infrastructure. Pezzullo’s briefing confirms the operational reach of US bomber fleets and the evolving demands on Australian military policy. The Fordow operation marks a significant moment in global security and future allied coordination.
