Fact Check: U.S. used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site.

Fact Check: "U.S. used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site."

What We Know

The claim that the U.S. used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site has been widely circulated following military strikes that occurred in June 2025. Reports indicate that the U.S. military did indeed carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, using massive 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs known as Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) (source-4). Satellite imagery has shown significant damage to the site, with deep holes and debris indicating the impact of these munitions (source-6).

Experts have noted that while the strikes may have caused severe damage, they did not completely destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities. Independent assessments suggest that key components of Iran's nuclear program remain intact, and the strikes may not have effectively targeted all necessary facilities (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that the U.S. used bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow site is substantial, as multiple credible sources confirm the use of these munitions in the military operation. The U.S. military's operation, referred to as "Operation Midnight Hammer," involved the deployment of B-2 Spirit bombers that dropped MOPs on various Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow and Natanz (source-4).

However, the reliability of the sources reporting on the aftermath of the strikes varies. While major news outlets like NPR and CBS provide detailed accounts and satellite imagery, independent experts have raised concerns about the completeness of the strikes. For instance, Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies noted that significant parts of Iran's nuclear infrastructure were likely untouched, indicating that the operation may not have achieved its intended goals (source-4).

Moreover, the potential for misinformation exists, as the U.S. government has been known to exaggerate the effectiveness of military operations for political purposes. Thus, while the claim about the use of bunker-buster bombs is substantiated, the implications of their use and the extent of damage to Iran's nuclear program require careful scrutiny.

Conclusion

The claim that the U.S. used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site is True. However, the assertion that this action significantly impaired Iran's nuclear capabilities is False. Although the strikes did occur and caused notable damage, independent assessments indicate that Iran's nuclear program remains largely intact, with critical components still operational. Therefore, while the initial claim about the use of munitions is accurate, the broader implications regarding the effectiveness of the strikes do not hold up under scrutiny.