Fact Check: "Iran's missile strike matches U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites."
What We Know
The claim that "Iran's missile strike matches U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites" suggests a direct correlation between the types of explosives used by the United States in its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the missiles launched by Iran in retaliation. However, the context surrounding these events indicates a more complex situation.
On June 22, 2025, the U.S. launched a military operation, codenamed "Midnight Hammer," targeting three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This operation involved the use of advanced munitions, including 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), which are specifically designed to penetrate deep underground facilities, such as those at Fordo, which is buried under a mountain (BBC). Initial assessments indicated that while the strikes caused significant damage, they did not completely destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program, and much of the enriched uranium had been moved prior to the attack (New York Times).
In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israeli targets, specifically Tel Aviv and Haifa, indicating a response to the U.S. strikes rather than a direct use of similar explosive technology (BBC). The nature of Iran's missile capabilities and the types of explosives used in these missiles are not explicitly stated to match those of the U.S. strikes.
Analysis
The assertion that Iran's missile strike matches U.S. explosives lacks substantiation based on available evidence. The U.S. employed MOPs, which are unique to its military arsenal and designed for specific strategic purposes, particularly against fortified underground facilities (AP News). In contrast, the missiles launched by Iran are part of its broader military capabilities and have not been confirmed to utilize the same technology or explosive characteristics as the U.S. munitions.
Moreover, the reports following the U.S. strikes indicate that while the attacks were significant, they did not achieve the complete destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities, with assessments suggesting only a temporary setback (CNN). The Iranian government has also claimed that the sites were evacuated prior to the strikes, further complicating the narrative of a direct match between the two military actions (BBC).
The sources used to evaluate this claim are credible, including major news organizations such as the BBC, New York Times, and CNN, which provide comprehensive coverage of the events and military assessments. However, the claim itself appears to be a misinterpretation or oversimplification of the military actions taken by both the U.S. and Iran.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "Iran's missile strike matches U.S. explosives used on its nuclear sites" is misleading. While both nations engaged in military actions, there is no evidence to support that Iran's missiles utilized the same technology or explosives as those employed by the U.S. in their strikes. The U.S. used specialized bunker-buster bombs designed for deep penetration, while Iran's missile capabilities are not confirmed to match these specifications. Furthermore, the context of the military actions indicates a complex interplay of retaliation rather than a direct equivalence in explosive technology.
