Inside Operation Epic Fury: Why US is moving B-1 ‘Bunker Busters’ to Britain for strikes on Iran
The United States is preparing long-range strategic bombers, including B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft, for possible strikes on Iran’s deeply buried military targets.
US Airforce crews work on B1 Lancer bombers, that are running an engine test parked on the apron at RAF Fairford, England. (AP Photo)
The United States Air Force is reportedly preparing its long-range strategic bombers, including B-1 bomber aircraft, for possible strikes on Iran’s deeply buried targets, even as the war in West Asia plunged the Gulf region’s oil infrastructure and shipping lanes into a crisis with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States is among the countries which maintain a fleet of long-range strategic bombers, with Russia and China being the other two nations. The US Air Force operates three bomber aircraft, which were developed during the Cold War, and reports suggest that the US military has deployed all these warplanes in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The aircraft includes the Northrop B-2 Spirit, which is a stealth bomber and began its service in the US Air Force in ߉ the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, which initiated its service in the military in the 1950s; and the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, which began operation in the 1980s.
Though President Donald Trump has said that the US military has succeeded in destroying key targets in Iran and that there’s “practically nothing left” to target in Iran and that the war there will end “soon,” additional bombers have been deployed to the main US air base in the UK.
The aircraft include Northrop B-2 Spirit, which is a stealth bomber, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and Rockwell B-1 Lancer. (AI Generated Image)
Several videos and news reports showed the US Air Force’s B-1 bomber aircraft being loaded with “bunker buster” explosives at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Britain on Wednesday. A Gulf News report stated that Washington could be preparing to strike Tehran’s fortified underground facilities, where the Islamic nation is reportedly known to store ballistic missiles and drones.
Nischai Vats is a Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. His work primarily covers US politics and visa and immigration policy, alongside broader international developments, with an emphasis on accuracy, verification, and clear explainers.
Experience
Nischai joined The Indian Express in May 2024 where he works on writing, editing, and refining high-impact stories for digital platforms. His role involves ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and clarity in coverage of complex policy-driven subjects.
Earlier in his career, he worked across Indian digital newsrooms in reporting and editing roles, including stints at Inshorts, Newslaundry, Tiranga TV, and Catch News. His newsroom experience spans rapid digital publishing, ground reporting, and copy editing across national, civic, and policy beats.
Expertise
His core areas of focus include:
US politics and governance: Coverage of American political developments, executive actions, and policy shifts.
US visa and immigration policy: Reporting and editing stories on visa categories, regulatory changes, and immigration pathways affecting global audiences.
Editorial accuracy and copy editing: Ensuring clarity, language precision, and verification in fast-paced digital news environments.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Nischai's journalism is grounded in verified sources, official documentation, and clear attribution, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. His background across reporting and editing enables him to translate complex policy updates into reliable, reader-friendly coverage. ... Read More
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US Airforce crews work on B1 Lancer bombers, that are running an engine test parked on the apron at RAF Fairford, England. (AP Photo) 
