Fact Check: "Iran's missile strike matched U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites."
What We Know
The claim that "Iran's missile strike matched U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites" lacks substantiation. The recent U.S. military operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer, targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. The operation involved the use of advanced munitions, including the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which are specifically designed to penetrate deeply buried targets. These bombs weigh approximately 30,000 pounds and can penetrate up to 60 feet of concrete or 200 feet of earth before detonating (New York Times, BBC).
The U.S. strikes reportedly caused "extremely severe damage and destruction" to these sites, with satellite imagery showing significant craters and damage (New York Times). However, there is no credible evidence that Iran's missile capabilities can replicate the specific explosives or the precision of the U.S. strikes.
Analysis
The assertion that Iran's missile strike matched U.S. explosives is misleading. The U.S. utilized unique bunker-buster bombs that are not available to Iran. The GBU-57, for instance, is a weapon exclusive to the U.S. military and is designed for penetrating fortified structures (PBS).
Iran has been known to develop various missile systems, but there is no evidence to suggest that these systems can match the technological sophistication or destructive capability of U.S. bunker-buster bombs. Furthermore, the Iranian government claimed that the targeted sites had been evacuated prior to the U.S. strikes, which would imply that any retaliatory strike would not be aimed at the same facilities or with the same intent (BBC).
The sources used to support the claim about Iran's missile capabilities lack credibility and do not provide verifiable data. The context of the U.S. strikes indicates a significant technological gap between the two nations' military capabilities, particularly regarding the types of explosives used.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "Iran's missile strike matched U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites" is not supported by evidence. The U.S. employed specialized bunker-buster bombs that are not available to Iran, and the context of the military operations indicates a significant disparity in technological capabilities. Furthermore, claims about the evacuation of the sites prior to the strikes further undermine the validity of the assertion.
