US Congress bill seeks to offer Israel access to B-2 bombers against Iranian nuclear facilities

A bipartisan bill submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to empower President Donald Trump to enable Israel to use their B-2 bombers and bunker-busting bombs in case the Iranian regime continues its quest for acquiring nuclear bombs.

Known as the “Bunker-Buster Act,” the submitted bill was sponsored by the Republican lawmaker Mike Lawler and the Democrat lawmaker Josh Gottheimer. They argue that the bill would enable Trump “to take steps that ensure Israel is prepared for all scenarios if Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons.” 

"This bill gives the President the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place," Lawler stated. 

Gottheimer emphasized that the U.S. must never allow the Islamic Republic of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. 

"Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror, and one of America’s top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon," Gottheimer vowed.

"That’s why I strongly supported our military actions earlier this month. Iran has killed scores of Americans, including our service members, and repeatedly attacked our key democratic ally, Israel. Israel must be able to defend herself against Iran, and ensure that Iran cannot rebuild its nuclear capabilities," he continued. 

If approved, the proposed legislation would pave the path towards even closer military operational cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli armed forces, including training, equipment and deployment. However, the B-2 bombers and the bunker-busting bombs would remain U.S. property and Washington would remain in control of its strategic assets. 

The Iranian regime has deliberately spread out its nuclear program across multiple fortified facilities. The Israeli Air Force appeared to have severely damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. However, military experts assessed that only bunker-busting bombs would be able to penetrate Tehran's heavily fortified subterranean Fordow facility from the air.

While Israel does not have bunker-busting bombs, the Israeli military signaled that it has alternative solutions to address the Fordow threat, likely referring to a covert commando ground operation. 

On June 21, U.S President Donald Trump ordered U.S. B-2 bombers to drop bunker-busting bombs on Fordow. The U.S. Air Force also bombed the nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. 

Trump remarked that the three Iranian nuclear facilities were “completely and totally obliterated” as a result of the massive U.S. strikes. 

“There is no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight,” Trump stated, referring to the fact that only the U.S. military possesses B-2 bombers that are capable of transporting the extremely heavy bunker-busting bombs. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s historic decision to bomb the Fordow nuclear facility. 

“President Trump and I often say, ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, @realDonaldTrumpand the United States acted with a lot of strength,” Netanyahu stated in a video post on 𝕏.

There have been intense speculations and debates concerning the extent of the damage that the Israeli and U.S. aerial strikes inflicted on Iran’s nuclear facilities, especially the Fordow site. While military experts are currently assessing the damages from satellite data and other information, senior U.S. and Israeli security officials believe that the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear program by at least two years.