The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Caine) has revealed how Iranian forces attempted to protect the Fordow nuclear installation with concrete barriers before U.S. forces executed a precise penetration attack using advanced bunker-busting armaments.
General Dan Caine, during an interview with CNN, described Iran’s defensive preparations, elaborating on Tehran’s efforts to safeguard the subterranean complex. He stated, “In the days prior to the assault on Fordow, the Iranians tried to seal the shafts with concrete in an attempt to prevent an attack.”
The General outlined the structured attack method that successfully overcame Iranian defenses through a synchronized deployment of weapons. Caine explained, “The initial weapon forcibly removed the cap, exposing the main shaft. Weapons two, three, four, and five were designated to enter. The main shaft descended into the complex at over 1,000 feet per second and detonated within the mission space.”
According to Caine, the operation utilized Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) munitions in a meticulously planned sequence. The first MOP eliminated the concrete covering, while subsequent bombs pierced the now-exposed shaft to target vital infrastructure inside the facility. A sixth weapon was held as a contingency for the intricate operation.
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The General detailed the formidable specifications of the MOP, emphasizing its unparalleled capacity to breach heavily fortified underground structures. This weapon measures approximately 20.5 feet in length with a 31.5-inch diameter and carries a 6,000-pound warhead, designed to penetrate facilities buried up to 200 feet deep
Operationally, only B-2 stealth bombers are capable of deploying MOPs, carrying two weapons internally to preserve the aircraft’s radar-evading characteristics. This constraint necessitates meticulous mission planning and coordination for multi-weapon strikes, such as the one conducted on Fordow.
Caine elaborated on the technical sophistication involved in each weapon’s programming, noting that MOPs are constructed of steel, explosives, and include programmable fuses tailored for specific tactical outcomes. He mentioned, “Each bomb possesses a unique impact angle, arrival, final heading, and fuse setting, which dictates when the weapon would detonate.”
The timing of the fuse is critically important for maximizing penetration effectiveness; longer delays permit deeper target penetration before detonation occurs. This capability allows MOPs to eradicate infrastructure situated far beneath the surface, making them exceptionally effective against reinforced nuclear facilities.
The Fordow facility, nestled within a mountain near Qom, stands as one of Iran’s most heavily protected nuclear sites. Its underground location and inherent geological defenses have historically rendered it a challenging target for conventional weaponry, underscoring the significance of this successful penetration strike.
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