US moves B-2 stealth bombers to Guam as Israel-Iran conflict rages: Reports

This gains significance as while Tel Aviv has attacked several nuclear establishments in Iran, the underground Fordow nuclear facility — a heavily fortified site located near Tehran — can only be destroyed by special bunker-buster bombs that only the US has. The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator can punch through 200 feet of earth or concrete before detonating and can be carried only by a US B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber, which can drop these munitions weighing over 13,000 kg.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported the deployment of the B-2 bombers on Saturday, along with four Boeing KC-46 Pegasus refuelling aircraft. Two of these tankers reportedly completed mid-air refuelling over the Pacific Ocean and were flying roughly 75 kilometres ahead of the remaining pair.

Additionally, two more KC-46 Pegasus refuelling planes have taken off from north of San Francisco and are heading northward. These aircraft are expected to pause for refuelling in Hawaii before joining the mission.

What is a B2 bomber

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has air superiority and requires a solid GPS signal to lock-in on its target. It is one of the most advanced assets in the United States Air Force, equipped with cutting-edge stealth technology that enables it to bypass sophisticated enemy air defences. Known for its ability to conduct precision strikes, the B-2 can target heavily fortified sites, including underground nuclear facilities like those in Iran.

Israel has already hit multiple nuclear facilities inside Iran, including the Natanz nuclear site.

Israel claims it hit research facility in Iran’s Isfahan

Israel’s military said Saturday it struck an Iranian nuclear research facility overnight and killed three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks, while emphasising it was preparing for the possibility that the war could turn into a lengthy campaign.

Early Saturday, smoke could be seen rising from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where a local official said Israel had attacked the nuclear research facility in two waves. The target was two centrifuge production sites, and the attacks came on top of strikes on other centrifuge production sites elsewhere in recent days, according to an Israeli military official speaking on condition of anonymity under army guidelines to brief reporters.