The Iranian Fordow nuclear facility is a daunting test case for US President Donald Trump. As Israel demands a strike, the danger associated with bombing this buried facility is enormous. The GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is what would be needed to blow Fordow out of existence, but employing it has great political and military risks.
The depth of Fordow, Iran’s preparedness, and the likelihood of world fallout make the decision a very tough one. Despite its might, the MOP is not a surefire solution. The Fordow challenge is not merely about firepower—it’s about international stability and strategic prudence.
Fordow’s Strategic Depth & Peril
Fordow is located under 90 metres of rock in the Qom desert. It contains thousands of centrifuges, including sophisticated IR-6 machines. These can enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels within days.
Found in 2009 by US intelligence, the facility was revived afterward after Trump’s pullout from the Iran nuclear accord in 2018. It has been described by Richard Nephew, a nuclear expert, as a “hedge and secure place” for Iran. Its defense makes it a hard target and a powerful symbol of Iran’s nuclear resolve.
MOP: Colossal Weapon With No Battlefield History
The MOP is the most powerful non-nuclear American bomb. It has a weight of 30,000 pounds and can penetrate more than 60 metres of rock. There is only one bomber capable of carrying it, and each can deliver only two bombs per flight.
To date, the US has never deployed the MOP during combat. Recent reports affirm B-2s have been deployed to Diego Garcia, but no MOP missions have been conducted in Yemen, Gaza, or Syria.
Can the MOP Even Succeed at Fordow?
No one knows if the MOP would completely blow up Fordow. The entire depth and layout of the site are classified. Iran could relocate or hide critical equipment. Clever fuses enhance targeting, but damage assessments after a strike are difficult. A partial strike might leave Iran with a quick breakout capability.
Geopolitical Risks Are Towering
A US attack on Fordow would be most likely to provoke Iranian retaliation and that of its proxies. US bases, Gulf allies, and Israel would be in their sights. The attack would tear alliances apart internationally. NATO would break up, and European allies would move away from Washington’s war policy.
Nephew reminds us diplomacy halted Iran’s program in 2015. Trump’s previous withdrawal from the deal and current belligerence can damage future negotiations. The attack might appear tough, but it might damage international cooperation.
Trump Confronted With a Political Trap
Trump’s Iran decisions now become US domestic politics. His abrupt withdrawal from the June 2025 G7 meeting, labeling developments “bigger than a ceasefire,” caused alarm. His base is divided between hawks and isolationists. Lawmakers caution against strikes for political reasons.
Even if the MOP destroys Fordow, Iran’s nuclear course won’t disappear. Iran might have already covert backup facilities and stockpiled centrifuges. It just threatened to create another “invulnerable” plant. The threat would persist—and diplomacy with it.
Military action has slowed but never halted nuclear initiatives. Iraq and Natanz provide evidence. Without follow-up diplomatic efforts and verification, force is a temporary delay, rather than a resolution.
No Silver Bullet Without Strategy
Employing the MOP can seem daring. But without strategy, it’s mere din. Fordow’s demolition, Nephew cautions, is “necessary—but not sufficient.” Enduring stability requires something more than bombs. It requires foresight, strategy, and international cohesion.
Ultimately, Trump’s decision on Fordow will determine not only this war but the balance of power for decades to come.
