Trump approves Iran attack plans as world awaits final order
A major escalation in U.S.–Iran tensions appears imminent as new reporting from The Wall Street Journal reveals President Donald Trump has privately approved a military strike plan targeting Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities. Although the final execution order has not yet been given, military analysts suggest the groundwork is in place for what could be the first-ever combat deployment of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)—a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb designed to strike deep underground.
Speaking on Fox News, retired Lt. Colonel David Burke, a former Top Gun instructor, provided a detailed breakdown of the potential strike operation. “This is a massive weapon designed to penetrate deep underground, to hit hard and fortified targets like the ones being discussed in Iran,” Burke said.
The MOP, weighing 30,000 pounds, is not a typical explosive—it contains relatively little explosive material but relies on its sheer mass and velocity to burrow into hardened sites before detonating. The intended targets, according to analysts, include facilities such as Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment site, which is embedded deep within a mountain to resist conventional bombing.
Trump Approves Iran Strike Plan
The operation would likely employ the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a key component of the U.S. Air Force’s long-range strike capabilities. According to Burke, the B-2 can carry two of these massive bombs and can conduct global strike missions without relying on bases in the Middle East. “Our ability to launch from the United States, reach the target, and return is well within the B-2’s wheelhouse,” Burke explained.
The strike plan may involve two bombs per target. The first bomb is expected to create a deep crater or tunnel through reinforced structures, while the second bomb follows through that opening, reaching deeper into the facility and delivering greater damage. “That’s likely the scenario: multiple bombs required, the first to breach and the second to follow and finish the job,” Burke said.
The bomb’s precision relies on advanced GPS guidance systems and a glide path that allows it to hit from strategic angles. This is not a gravity-dropped weapon like those used in World War II, Burke noted. “This is a smart weapon. It’s guided, and its design is all about precision in high-risk environments.”
Asked about the challenge for the pilots, Burke emphasized the professionalism and preparedness of U.S. aircrews. “These B-2 crews have trained their entire careers for missions like this. Of course, there’s risk any time American aircraft enter hostile airspace, but these are highly trained, highly capable personnel.”
One of the most notable elements of the operation is that it would almost certainly need to be carried out by U.S. forces—not Israeli pilots or aircraft. “This is not something you can train up the Israelis for quickly,” Burke added, citing the complexity of the aircraft and the weapon itself.
Additionally, the bombs do not detonate on impact. Instead, detonation is precisely timed and controlled, which allows for maximum effect after the bomb has penetrated its target.
According to Burke, if the mission goes forward, the aircraft will likely take off from U.S. bases and be refueled mid-air to complete the mission. “It wouldn’t surprise me if this is already being staged. You’d expect to see multiple B-2s involved in an operation of this scale.”
This potential strike would mark a major military action with significant geopolitical consequences. Iran is known to be pre-positioning missiles aimed at U.S. bases in the region, and retaliation from Iranian proxies, including in Iraq, Syria, or even against Israel, could be swift.
While the Trump administration has not officially confirmed the operation, the private approval of the strike plan combined with active military preparation suggests the region could be on the brink of a wider conflict.
As diplomatic efforts wane and the Pentagon prepares for the possible execution of a high-risk, high-reward mission, questions loom about the long-term consequences. With U.S. troops stationed throughout the region, the decision to launch such a strike may ignite a chain reaction across the Middle East—and possibly beyond.
