Since Israel launched preemptive strikes on multiple Iranian cities last week—damaging key military and nuclear sites and killing top commanders—the conflict has spiraled. Iran’s counterattacks, including missile and drone barrages that pierced the Iron Dome, have struck deep into major Israeli cities.
Now, experts suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump may move beyond verbal support. Sources say Washington could supply the bunker-buster munitions needed to breach Iran’s most fortified nuclear site: Fordow. Situated some 90 meters underground in a mountain, Fordow houses hundreds of centrifuges and has so far withstood Israeli air raids.
“There is a good chance that the United States would be willing to undertake a strike against Fordow,” argues Zaki Shalom, defense policy expert at the Misgav Institute. He notes that U.S. B2 bombers each carry bombs weighing up to 14 tonnes—payloads far beyond Israel’s arsenal.
From Tehran’s view, the strikes are a pretext for regional escalation. “We have no doubt that Israel wishes to fan the flames of the war and spread the flames to other countries and players in the region,” says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, insisting Iran’s nuclear program is solely peaceful.
Despite earlier calls for de-escalation, Trump’s tone has hardened. In a social media post he demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and hinted at knowing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s whereabouts—yet stopping short of direct action “at least not for now.” He also urged Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives.
Meanwhile, U.S. military posture has shifted: over two dozen planes have moved from bases in America to Europe in the past three days. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made securing U.S. strike support on Iran’s nuclear facilities his primary diplomatic goal.
“If fighting stretches out, the U.S. is expected to swiftly approve and deliver various weapons requested by Israel,” says Wei Liang from the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Yet he cautions that Trump’s peacemaker image could complicate full-scale intervention.
Regardless of Washington’s direct involvement, Israel remains the main force confronting Iran. Already engaged in Gaza, its capacity for a prolonged conflict on two fronts is uncertain. “Israel certainly cannot afford a war of attrition against Iran,” warns Shalom, predicting a swift end—“the war would end next week.”
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Experts: Trump may offer Israel direct support for strikes on Iran
cgtn.com
