Fact Check: Six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow facility.

Fact Check: "Six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow facility."

What We Know

The claim that "six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow facility" has circulated in various media reports. The Fordow facility is a heavily fortified nuclear site located deep underground, making it a target for specialized munitions known as "bunker busters." These bombs, particularly the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), are designed to penetrate deep into the earth before detonating, and they are the only munitions capable of effectively targeting such deep facilities (NPR, AP News).

Reports from credible sources indicate that U.S. military strikes targeted multiple nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, but the specifics regarding the number of bombs used remain unclear. President Donald Trump claimed that a "full payload of bombs" was dropped on Fordow, but he did not specify the exact number (BBC). Other reports suggest that two MOPs were used for each target struck, but this does not confirm the total number of bombs used at Fordow specifically (BBC, Newsweek).

Analysis

The assertion that six bunker buster bombs were used at the Fordow facility appears to stem from a misinterpretation or exaggeration of the available information. While it is true that the U.S. possesses the capability to use bunker buster bombs against such fortified sites, the specific claim of six bombs lacks direct confirmation from authoritative sources.

The reports from NPR and BBC indicate that while the GBU-57 MOP is designed for such strikes, the actual number of bombs used in the recent military actions is not definitively stated. The source from Newsweek cites a Fox News host who claims six bombs were used, but this is based on unnamed "Trump administration sources," which raises questions about the reliability and verification of that information (Newsweek).

In contrast, the NPR and BBC reports focus on the capabilities and potential impact of the GBU-57 without confirming the exact number of munitions deployed. This discrepancy highlights the need for caution when interpreting claims that are not substantiated by multiple credible sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow facility" is not supported by credible evidence. While the U.S. has the capability to deploy such munitions, the specific number of bombs used remains unverified and appears to be an exaggeration based on incomplete information. The reports do not confirm the use of six bombs, and thus the claim cannot be substantiated.

Fact Check: Six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow facility.