“There are two ways Iran can be handled, militarily or you can make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal,” said Donald Trump during a Fox News interview on March 6, hinting at the pressing issues surrounding US-Iran relations. The gravity of his words was palpable, “a situation with Iran that’s going to happen very soon, very, very soon.”
However, early indicators for any potential deal appeared somewhat inauspicious. Tensions escalated as Trump intensified the pressure on Iran following a series of US strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen over the weekend. “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN,” he warned through a Truth Social post on Monday.
Could Israel decide to take preemptive action? This question lingers among military analysts who suggest that without US support, particularly airpower, any attempt to dismantle Iran’s underground facilities for weapons-grade uranium could mark a significant escalation.
Military analyst Ryan Bohl shared insights with Business Insider on the logistical challenges of such military endeavors. To effectively dismantle Iran’s nuclear facilities, the US and Israel would possibly have to execute several strikes using standoff weapons like cruise missiles. This complex operation isn’t just a test of military might, it’s a dance of strategy, precision, and timing.
In this context, the role of Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bombers comes under the spotlight. These are not your average aircraft; they are the only ones capable of delivering the formidable 15-ton GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, known as the heaviest US bunker buster. A B-2 was notably instrumental in targeting the Iran-backed Houthis’ underground weapon sites in Yemen last October.
“It would be a major milestone in the history of warfare should we see a joint Israeli-US strike on Iran,” remarked Bohl, “It would provide insight into how American-made systems might perform against potential adversaries like Russia and China, who tend to have systems bearing similarities to Iran’s.”
Conversations around this topic have already made their way to the chambers of the United Nations Security Council, where discussions surrounding Iran’s uranium enrichment near weapons-grade levels took precedence. The United States accused Iran of “flagrantly” defying international norms with its accelerated enrichment activities.
Amidst ongoing diplomatic chess games, the synergy between the US Air Force and Israeli Air Force has only fortified, with joint drills involving stealthy F-35s and B-52 Stratofortress bombers. This has created a discreet but powerful preparation narrative for a potential future confrontation with Iran.
January 2023’s largest-ever exercise, “Juniper Oak,” saw US and Israeli forces deploying over 180,000 pounds of live munitions, with a combination of F-35 stealth jets and drones participating. The scale of collaboration echoed a resonance of military camaraderie transcending borders, much beyond mere strategic drills.
Why Israel Might Need US Bombers
Although Israel’s fleet, comprising F-15 and F-16 jets, bolstered by advanced F-35s, is formidable, it lacks the heavy bombers necessary for unleashing large bunker-busting munitions. As such, their reliance on American collaboration isn’t just strategic, it’s tactical.
The primary targets in such hypotheticals are the fortified, deep underground enrichment facilities of Natanz and Fordow, both key uranium enrichment sites barricaded with layers of reinforced concrete. Satellite evidence from 2023 even revealed fortified tunnels at Natanz, raising the stakes higher for any future military nightclub of war strategies.
A composite US-Israeli airstrike campaign would require orchestrated attacks on numerous fronts – from Iranian air defenses to ballistic missile sites, integrating cyber warfare, drones, and potentially, specialized operations. As described by Nicholas Heras of the New Lines Institute, “The complexity of this relationship forms the backbone, defining the potential battles ahead.”
Interestingly, Israeli forces previously inflicted significant damage on Iran’s Russian-made S-300 defenses. In theory, more coordinated strikes, amplified by America’s robust firepower, could deepen Iran’s challenges in securing its skies.
“Iran is on the back foot defending its airspace,” noted Bohl, observing how defensive dynamics are teetering in this geopolitical arena.
As for Iran, with a regionally unmatched arsenal of ballistic missiles, history has shown its ability to unleash significant military challenges without much warning.
“Iran has had decades to prepare for such an attack,” Bohl reflected, contemplating the defense mechanisms Iran has embedded within its strategic military culture. It seems plausible that, despite aggressive bombardment, Iran could withstand and possibly regenerate its military prowess.
Such intricate scenarios only serve to underscore the audacity and complexity of geopolitics where arms, allegiances, and strategic interests collide.
“Without a doubt, a joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran’s nuclear program would be one of the largest, and certainly the most technologically advanced, in human history,” Heras stated, capturing the sheer magnitude of such a prospect.
Paul Iddon, a seasoned journalist and columnist, navigates the intricate weavings of Middle Eastern geopolitics, military dynamics, and historical perspectives through his work, featured across various esteemed publications.
