The US military deliberately avoided using bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site during recent strikes, citing the facility’s significant depth as the primary reason. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb would likely have been ineffective against the site’s underground structures.¹

General Caine revealed this information during a classified briefing with senators, explaining that the Isfahan site is too deep for the bunker-busters to achieve their intended purpose. Instead, the US military opted to use Tomahawk missiles to strike the facility. The decision highlights the complexities of military operations and the need for precision in targeting sensitive sites.²

The Isfahan nuclear site is believed to hold nearly 60% of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, making it a critical location in the country’s nuclear program. US officials consider the site’s depth a significant factor in determining the effectiveness of potential military actions.

In contrast, bunker-buster bombs were reportedly used on other Iranian nuclear facilities, such as Fordow and Natanz, which may have been more accessible to the MOP’s capabilities.