Without U.S.-provided heavy bunker busters, notably the GBU-57 30,000-pound bomb, the effectiveness of Israeli airstrikes will remain in question. Still, the IAF has some systems that can do a profound amount of damage.
With the rumors about the potential Israeli airstrikes against suspected Iranian nuclear weapons development facilities running rampant, it is important to understand what kinds of weapons the Israeli Air Force (IAF) would use—and what the possible targets are.
It’s also important to understand that the kind of weapons that Israel might use in these rumored pending airstrikes against Iran depend upon the nature of the targets in Iran, their locations, and the strategic goals of the operation.
Based on Israel’s military capabilities, past actions, and the challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, several types of weapons could be considered. Iran’s nuclear sites, notably Natanz and Fordow, are known to include fortified underground facilities, necessarily complicating any attack and narrowing the range of effective options.
What Systems Does Israel Have?
The IAF’s primary warplane is the F-15I Ra’am.
Of course, its most advanced warplane is the Lockheed Martin-built F-35I Adir, which was already used with decisive effect in October 2024, when the IAF destroyed several Russian-built S-300 air defense systems around Tehran. Israel has since claimed that they possess “escalation dominance” after the destruction of those S-300 systems.
Iran has more than just the S-300 ringing their key military facilities—and it has been months since that strike occurred, meaning that the Iranians have likely replenished those stocks.
The IAF possesses C-130 transport planes that could be used to deploy the Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or Mother of All Bombs (MOAB), that the Trump administration gave over to the Israelis earlier this year. Of course, the C-130s would need significant protection from Israeli F-15Is and F-35Is, as they would be easy targets for Iranian air defenses.
Israel Has the MOAB, But Still Lacks Conventional Firepower
Interestingly, although the Americans have nicknamed the MOAB the “Mother of All Bombs,” the MOAB is not the largest non-nuclear bomb in America’s arsenal.
That honor goes to the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), known as the GBU-57, which weighs around 30,000-pounds. That, too, has an appropriate nickname: the “Father of All Bombs.” The GBU-57 would be the ultimate non-nuclear weapon for Israel to deploy against a hardened facility, like the Fordow Uranium Enrichment site in Iran. Yet, the Israelis do not have access to this weapon—at least, not officially.
A more likely system the IAF would deploy in any airstrike against the suspected Iranian nuclear sites would be the 5,000-pound GBU-28, a laser-guided “bunker buster” bomb capable of penetrating several meters of concrete. Of course, experts have noted that this weapon might not suffice against the deeply buried sites in Iran—particularly Fordow, which is built into the side of a mountain in preparation for just such an eventuality.
In terms of air-to-surface missiles, the ROCKS, an Israeli-developed precision missile with extended range, could potentially be deployed against suspected Iranian nuclear weapons sites. Similarly, the Golden Horizon, another air-launched missile, could be used for its accuracy and ability to hit fortified sites. It has a range of around 1,240 miles. These systems allow for Israel to strike from a distance, reducing exposure to Iran’s air defenses.
However, Israel’s penetration capabilities—the primary issue in any strike—against hardened underground facilities remains dubious at best.
Could Israel Use Low-Yield Nukes Instead?
Israel’s ballistic missile arsenal, including the vaunted Jericho missiles, might be considered by the Israeli Armed Forces. The Jericho III, for instance, has an estimated range of around 4,000 miles and has the ability to carry heavy payloads. Thus, the Jericho III would be able to deliver conventional or nuclear warheads.
Lacking a 30,000-pound bomb that would surely penetrate the mountain redoubt at Fordow, if their smaller, non-nuclear bombs—or even the MOAB—fails to destroy the Fordow facility, the Israelis might opt to hit that site with low-yield nuclear weapons. This all applies, of course, if the Americans who are currently massing warplanes in Diego Garcia do not do it for Israel. There is, understandably, some concern among Israeli officials as to how committed to such a course the Americans are.
However, this would be the first use of nuclear weapons in war since 1945—shattering a decades-old precedent and sending a signal to other world powers that their use of tactical nukes is no longer off the table.
Historically, Israel has favored precision strikes rather than overwhelming force, as seen in its 1981 attack on Iraq’s Osirak reactor (Operation Opera) and again in the 2007 Israeli airstrike on Syria’s reactor (Operation Orchard), both using powerful conventional bombs from Israeli F-16s. More recently, the aforementioned October 2024 IAF strikes against Iran’s Parchin complex, which destroyed the Taleghan 2 facility, reportedly involved air-launched munitions.
The Unique Challenges of Striking Iran
Iran’s nuclear facilities present unique challenges. Natanz’s Fuel Enrichment Plant is partially underground. Fordow’s mountain location demands exceptional penetration power. Israel might combine airstrikes with cruise missiles or drones, as seen in past covert operations, to maximize damage while minimizing risk.
Without U.S.-provided heavy bunker busters, notably the GBU-57 30,000-pound bomb, the effectiveness of Israeli airstrikes will remain in question. Still, the IAF has some systems that can do a profound amount of damage.
And the reason for the U.S. buildup to the south in Diego Garcia might very well be as a restrike option, should it be determined that the purported Israeli airstrikes that are set to commence fail to penetrate the Iranian nuclear facilities underground.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter@WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.