A single 30,000-pound bomb could be the most critical weapon in a potential war between Israel and Iran — but it’s not in Israeli hands. It belongs to the United States military.
Here’s why that matters: Only the U.S. possesses the GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, commonly referred to as the MOP. It’s the world’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb, specifically engineered to destroy targets that no conventional missile or warhead can reach — like Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities. Israel, despite its advanced military capabilities, does not have a weapon of this magnitude.
The GBU-57, known as the “bunker buster,” is a precision-guided weapon designed to penetrate deep into the earth before detonating. Weighing an incredible 30,000 pounds, it was built to neutralize high-value targets hidden in mountains or reinforced bunkers — including Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, which lies beneath hundreds of feet of rock and concrete. According to U.S. military sources, the MOP was explicitly created to destroy such deeply buried threats, including weapons of mass destruction hidden in secure sites.
The Fordow facility, one of the most secretive components of Iran’s nuclear program, has long been a major concern for Israel. Israeli officials believe that unless Fordow is completely destroyed, Iran could still accelerate its nuclear ambitions. As Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter recently stated, “The entire operation has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.”
That’s where the U.S. comes in. Israel’s current arsenal doesn’t include anything capable of reaching that depth with certainty. The only aircraft capable of delivering the MOP is the American B-2 Spirit stealth bomber — an aircraft specifically designed to travel long distances undetected and deliver devastating payloads with pinpoint accuracy.
Defense analysts suggest that a B-2 dropping a MOP is about the most powerful conventional strike the U.S. could carry out — just short of a nuclear option. The Pentagon has confirmed that the MOP is tailored for attacking “hard and deeply buried targets (HDBTs),” such as Fordow.
Using the MOP in a real-world scenario, however, would be unprecedented. According to military historian Robert Pape, successfully destroying a site like Fordow would likely require at least two MOPs striking the exact same location. He added that while the U.S. Air Force has the technical ability, such an operation has never been executed in an actual war.
The geopolitical situation remains tense. Former President Donald Trump recently stated that Iran is still seeking talks with the U.S., but added that negotiations are reaching a critical deadline — hinting that military action may soon be considered. Any U.S. strike on Iranian soil, particularly one involving the MOP, would almost certainly trigger retaliation, possibly drawing the U.S. into a broader regional conflict.
While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to disclose specific military plans, he assured lawmakers that the Pentagon stands ready to act if ordered.
One thing is clear: should the situation escalate, the GBU-57 MOP may become a key player in shaping the future of the Middle East.
