Fact Check: "Iran's missile strike matches US explosives used on its nuclear sites"
What We Know
The claim that "Iran's missile strike matches US explosives used on its nuclear sites" lacks substantial evidence. Recent events surrounding the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, specifically at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, have been reported extensively. The US military operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer, involved the deployment of 125 military aircraft and the use of 75 precision-guided weapons, including 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) designed to penetrate deep underground structures (BBC).
Initial assessments indicate that while the strikes caused significant damage to these sites, they did not completely destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities. A preliminary classified report suggested that the bombing only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months, and much of the enriched uranium had been moved prior to the attacks (New York Times). Furthermore, satellite imagery showed that the entrances to some facilities were sealed off, indicating that Iran may have anticipated such strikes (NPR).
Analysis
The assertion that Iran's missile strike matches the explosives used by the US is misleading. The US employed advanced munitions specifically designed for deep penetration of fortified sites, which are not comparable to conventional missile strikes. The GBU-57 MOPs are unique to the US military and are capable of penetrating substantial amounts of earth and concrete before detonating, making them particularly suited for targeting underground facilities like Fordo (AP News).
In contrast, Iran's missile capabilities, while significant, do not include the same type of bunker-busting technology. The effectiveness of Iran's missile strikes following the US attacks has been reported, but these strikes were aimed at Israel and did not target the same nuclear facilities that the US bombed. The damage assessment from the US strikes indicated that while there was severe damage, the core components of Iran's nuclear program remained largely intact (CNN).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and provide a comprehensive overview of the military actions taken by both the US and Iran. The BBC, New York Times, NPR, AP News, and CNN are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking processes.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "Iran's missile strike matches US explosives used on its nuclear sites" is inaccurate. The munitions used by the US in its strikes are specialized bunker-buster bombs that are not comparable to the missiles employed by Iran. Additionally, the damage assessments indicate that while the US strikes were significant, they did not obliterate Iran's nuclear capabilities, contradicting the implication of the claim.
Sources
- What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
- Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months
- Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but not destroyed, experts say
- How the US bombarded Iranian nuclear sites without detection
- Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear capabilities
