What Are B-2 Bombers And Why Did The US Use Them To Strike Nuclear Sites In Iran?
Last Updated:
Beyond its stealth features, the B-2 also possesses exceptional operational capabilities. It can fly up to 6,000 nautical miles without refueling
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States has entered the Israel-Iran conflict by launching a military strike on three nuclear sites in Iran. The assault began with six Bunker Buster bombs targeting the underground Fordow facility, followed by 30 Tomahawk missiles hitting Natanz and Esfahan. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
Announcing the operation, US President Donald Trump confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers carried out the attacks. He described it as a 'historic moment" for the US, Israel, and the global community, asserting that the strike marked a decisive step in the ongoing regional crisis.
What Is The B-2 Stealth Bomber?
The B-2 Spirit, commonly known as the B-2 stealth bomber, is a groundbreaking aircraft that has served as a cornerstone of American airpower and stealth technology for more than 30 years. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the B-2 represents a fusion of cutting-edge design, advanced engineering, and unrivaled battlefield survivability.
First taking to the skies in 1989, the B-2 remains one of the most formidable and survivable strategic bombers in the world. It was specifically engineered to penetrate dense and sophisticated enemy air defense systems, allowing it to strike heavily fortified targets with minimal detection risk.
At the heart of its power is its stealth capability. The B-2's distinct flying-wing design, combined with radar-absorbent materials and a significantly reduced infrared and acoustic signature, makes it nearly invisible to conventional radar. Its radar cross-section is estimated at just 0.001 square meters, roughly the size of a small bird, making it one of the most elusive aircraft ever built.
Beyond its stealth features, the B-2 also possesses exceptional operational capabilities. It can fly up to 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, and its range can be further extended through aerial refueling, enabling long-duration missions deep into hostile territory. The aircraft is designed to operate effectively at all altitudes, including high-altitude strategic missions, and is capable of carrying a massive payload comprising both conventional and nuclear weapons. This combination of range, altitude flexibility, and strike capacity makes the B-2 one of the most versatile and powerful bombers in modern military aviation.
Why Did Trump Deploy the B-2 Bomber in Iran?
The deployment of B-2 stealth bombers to the Pacific island of Guam over the weekend fueled intense speculation about a potential US military strike. Analysts and observers began anticipating a significant escalation, particularly involving Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
Among the concerns was the possibility that the Trump administration intended to use the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator—commonly known as a bunker-buster bomb—to strike Iran's heavily fortified underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Given the B-2's unique ability to deliver such powerful munitions while evading advanced radar systems, its movement signaled a deliberate and calculated show of force, raising tensions and uncertainty about the US's next steps in the region.
First Published:
June 22, 2025, 07:24 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
'World War 3 Could Be Just Around The Corner,' Russian Fm Lavrov Says
Pakistan Condemns U.S. Strikes On Iran A Day After Nobel Peace Prize Endorsement For Donald Trump A day after recommending President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his "decisive diplomatic intervention" during last month's India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan on Sunday "condemned" the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. "We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement, hours after the American warplanes and submarines bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran, officially joining Israel's war against the country.#pakistan #trump #nobelpeaceprize #iran #usiran #middleeast #geopolitics #escalation #india #pakistanforeignministry #internationalrelations #nuclearfacilities #warplanes #submarines #israel #diplomacy #peace #conflict #worldnews #currentaffairs #breakingnews #globalpolitics #security #un #crisis #toi #toibharat 43.0K views | 7 hours ago
NDTV
43 minutes ago
- NDTV
Top Democrats Not Briefed Before US Strikes On Iranian Nuclear Sites: Report
US President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday night, notifying top congressional Republicans, but not Democrats, before the attacks, CNN reported. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune were briefed before the strikes, per GOP sources. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries were reportedly notified shortly before Trump's public announcement, after the bombs had dropped, as per Politico. Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes, leaders on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees, respectively - both part of the "Gang of Eight" - were similarly kept in the dark until after the strike. The strikes, which targeted Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, have sharply divided lawmakers along party lines. Republicans largely supported Trump's decision, praising the action as decisive and necessary. Johnson defended the strikes on X, "Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act. The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight's necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties". John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and several GOP lawmakers also praised the action. Alexandria-based Representative Rick Crawford confirmed he had been in touch with the White House beforehand. Democrats responded with sharp criticism. Senator Warner condemned the strike as reckless, carried out "without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, and without explaining to the American people what's at stake." He called on the president to immediately appear before Congress to outline his objectives. Senator Tim Kaine, who had introduced a resolution last week requiring Trump to seek congressional approval before any action against Iran, called on his intent to force a Senate vote. "I will push for all Senators to vote on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war," he said. Representative Sean Casten of Illinois went as far as to call the action an " impeachable offense," while Independent Senator Bernie Sanders called it " grossly unconstitutional." House Minority Leader Jeffries warned of retaliation against US troops in the region and accused Trump of misleading the country. "Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed to deliver," Jeffries said. "The risk of war has now dramatically increased." Despite the near-unanimous Democratic opposition, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the exception. "As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS," Fetterman posted on X. "Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities." The Israel-Iran conflict, now in its 10th day, intensified over the weekend as the United States entered the battlefield. President Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2 bombers from Guam. He called the mission a "spectacular military success," claiming the facilities were "obliterated." The strikes came just after Israel launched over 150 missiles at Iran's Isfahan site on June 21, its second attack in eight days, reportedly killing scientists and damaging nuclear infrastructure. In response, Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israeli targets, including 27 ballistic missiles aimed at Ben Gurion Airport, some of which breached Israel's famed Iron Dome.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's oil supply chain safe from Hormuz closure: Puri
NEW DELHI: India's oil supply chain remains stable as a result of diversification in the last few years, oil minister Hardeep Puri said on Sunday as Iran's Parliament passed a motion calling for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the critical choke point accounting for a fifth of global seaborne oil and a third of LNG shipments. 'We have been closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East since the past two weeks. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, we have diversified our supplies in the past few years and a large volume of our supplies do not come through the Strait of Hormuz now,' he said in a post on microblogging site X. Indeed, latest data from analytics firm Kpler showed Indian refiners pivoting away from the Middle-East since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran stoked fears of Hormuz closure. In June, for example, oil imports from Russia and the US outpaced combined volumes of from traditional Middle East suppliers such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia. India currently imports oil from 13 countries. India does not buy any oil from Iran. But Hormuz is still crucial for India as 40% of its oil imports still passes through this narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. Puri, however, assured citizens on supplies. 'Our Oil Marketing Companies have supplies of several weeks and continue to receive energy supplies from several routes. We will take all necessary steps to ensure stability of supplies of fuel to our citizens,' he said. India currently imports oil from 13 countries. India does not buy any oil from Iran. But Hormuz is still crucial for India as 40% of its oil imports still passes through this narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. The last word depends on Iran's Supreme Council, which has to approve the Parliament motion. Closure of Hormuz could lead to an upheaval in global oil trade and spike in crude prices since the alternative routes for evacuation of Middle-East oil is limited to about 2-3% of daily global supplies. The strait last effectively closed during the Iran-Iraq 'Tanker War' in 1984.
