US hits Iranian missile sites with 5,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs
What's the story
The United States Central Command has said that it used multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites along the country's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. It said the "Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait." Iran has blocked the crucial waterway, which carries one-fifth of the world's oil supply. This blockade has severely disrupted maritime traffic and led to a global spike in energy prices.
Diplomatic tensions
Trump criticizes NATO allies for not supporting US
The US military action comes after President Donald Trump's calls for NATO allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz were rejected. Trump had expressed frustration over this lack of support, saying that despite helping NATO "so much," the US wasn't getting support in return. In heated remarks, Trump insisted "we don't need any help," but they "should've been there." He said it was in the allies' best interests to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear stance
Iran maintains it does not seek nuclear weapons
Iran has repeatedly said it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and uses its nuclear program for peaceful purposes such as energy generation. In the first week of March, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, clarified that there is no evidence of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. However, he expressed concern over Iran's large stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and its refusal to grant full access to IAEA inspectors.
Shipping security
Bombs are called 'bunker busters'
The bombs used in this military action are called "bunker busters," which are designed to strike hardened or buried targets. These munitions cost an estimated $288,000 each, according to a 2022 Air Force Times report. Only the US possesses the 30,000-pound "bunker busting" bombs and B-2 stealth bombers capable of delivering them, which are required to reach Iran's most heavily guarded facilities. It was used in the brief war with Iran last June.