Fast Draw – The new reality we must live with

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US sources have just leaked information that they are upgrading and testing the largest bunker-buster bomb in the US arsenal, powerful enough, according to an unnamed senior official, to disable Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear facilities. Just in case the understandings recently reached between the Iranians and the American and Europeans, don’t hold.

This, as I understand it, is a mere PR stunt. Firstly, even the new, upgraded version they announced, will not be capable of destroying all Iranian nuclear facilities. And secondly and even more importantly I don’t see that the US will ever use these bombs to target Iranian facilities. Stopping the nuclear program just isn’t that high on the administration’s list of priorities.

The unnamed source has been quoted as saying that “the Pentagon continues to be focused on being able to provide military options for [checking] Iran if needed,” and “we have not taken our eyes off the ball.” The Wall Street Journal quotes senior officials who testify to the efficacy of the improved bunker busters. According to them results show that the improved bomb, when one is dropped on top of another, is better capable of penetrating fortified nuclear facilities in Iran or in North Korea.

But again, this is just well managed PR. Here in Israel many eyebrows are raised.

The bunker buster that is being improved was originally designed with the Fordow facility in mind. The Iranians had built this facility into a mountain especially in order to protect it from potential airstrikes.

So PR aside, the situation is that the U.S has in fact accepted the Iranian nuclear program. This is the new reality we will have to live with. And I am sure leaks about a new bomb raise many smiles on the already very happy faces of the Iranian leaders. While the US is trying to convince us they have options up their sleeve, the Iranians know full well  they have managed to trick the world yet again. Great!