In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies Diego Garcia, an area shrouded in secrecy and renowned for its role as a clandestine military base. The United States placed one of its deadliest assets here, the B-2 Spirit nuclear stealth bomber, to launch strikes against Iran. This decisive move was fueled by tensions between Israel and Iran over Iran’s nuclear agenda. Let's explore the deployment, the prowess of the B-2 bomber, and the American assaults on Iran's nuclear strongholds in detail.
The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber: Invisible Destruction
Keenly referred to as the stealth bomber, the B-2 Spirit stands as the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced and priciest weapon at two billion dollars per unit. America currently boasts only 20 of these aircraft. Designed during the Cold War for potential strikes against the Soviet Union, this bomber eludes radar, rendering it almost invisible to adversaries. It remains one of the world's deadliest military assets to this day.
Technical Mastery of the B-2
Dimensions and Weight:
The B-2 stretches 69 feet in length, spans a wingspan of 172 feet, and stands 17 feet tall. It has an empty weight of 71,700 kilograms, yet it can soar carrying up to 170,000 kilograms fully armed.
Speed and Altitude:
Capable of flying at a maximum speed of 1010 kilometers per hour, the B-2 typically cruises at 900 kilometers per hour. It can ascend to altitudes of 50,000 feet, around 15 kilometers, avoiding enemy radar and missiles.
Crew:
The stealth bomber is operated by a crew of only two—a pilot and a mission commander.
Range:
With a range of 11,000 kilometers and aerial refueling capabilities, it can cover even greater distances.
Armament Capacity
Housing two internal weapon bays, the B-2 bomber can carry a plethora of weaponry, rendering it versatile for diverse missions. Its arsenal includes...
Source: aajtak
Conventional Bombs: 80 small bombs (230 kg Mk-82 or GBU-38) or 36 CBU class bombs (340 kg).
Nuclear Bombs: Capable of carrying 16 B61 or B83 nuclear bombs for extensive destruction.
Bunker Buster Bombs: Two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP), weighing 13,600 kilograms each, can penetrate deep concrete bunkers 200 feet underground.
Missiles: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon and AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), tailored for precision strikes.
The B-2’s robust capabilities make it ideal for obliterating deep underground sites like Iran’s Fordo nuclear site, concealed 80 meters beneath a mountain.
The Iran-Israel Conflict and America's Role
The tension between Israel and Iran reached a zenith in 2025, with Israel perceiving Iran’s nuclear program as a direct threat. Iran has initiated missile strikes against Israel. Meanwhile, supporting Israel, America conducted precise assaults using B-2 bombers on Iran's nuclear foundations in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Donald Trump acknowledged the operation, affirming that U.S. aircraft safely exited Iranian airspace.
Source: aajtak
Fordo Nuclear Site: A Challenging Target
Iran's Fordo nuclear facility, embedded 80 meters beneath mountainous terrain, poses a daunting challenge to conventional bomb attacks. The GBU-57 MOP bomb, famed as the bunker buster, is engineered specifically for such fortifications. This bomb can pierce through 60 feet of concrete or 200 feet of soil. The B-2 bomber is the sole aircraft with the capacity to transport this massive bomb.
Diego Garcia: The Strategic Hub
Perched in the Indian Ocean, Diego Garcia is a small yet pivotal island serving as a joint U.S.-British military base. Positioned 5,842 kilometers from Israel and 4,842 kilometers from Iran, its geographic locale provides unmatched oversight and military strategizing potential over the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, and other regional estates.
The B-2 Stealth Bomber, with its extensive 11,000-kilometer range, can reach Iran or Israel from Diego Garcia in a mere 4-5 hours. With mid-air refueling abilities, it skillfully embarks on long-distance missions, successfully strikes targets, and returns to safety.
The United States strategically relocated four B-2 Stealth Bombers alongside eight KC-135 tanker aircraft from Missouri’s Whiteman Air Force Base to Diego Garcia. This deployment aligns with the objective of countering Iran's nuclear progression and averting potential threats against Israel.
The Impact of American Strikes
On June 22, 2025, B-2 bombers unleashed six GBU-57 bombs (two per site) during a profound strike, significantly undermining Iran’s nuclear capabilities. While not entirely eradicating the program, these strikes heightened regional tensions. Iran has issued retaliatory threats, potentially engaging its proxy factions (Hezbollah, Houthi) to assault Israeli and American assets.
Source: aajtak
America's Strategic Maneuvers in the Middle East
Beyond deploying B-2 bombers, the United States amplified its military dominance across the Middle East...
Naval Deployment: U.S. naval units, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, reinforce the region.
Additional Aircraft: F-16 fighter jets stationed in Saudi Arabia and B-52 bombers positioned in Diego Garcia.
Ground Forces: Increased U.S. terrestrial military presence.
These measures not only secure Israel but also safeguard U.S. troops, managing Iran's nuclear ambitions.
