In response, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning:
“If Iran doesn’t make a deal, there will be bombings—and bombings like they’ve never seen before.”
Background to the Escalation
Trump’s remarks come amid new threats reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph. According to the report, Iran has warned it would target British forces stationed in the Chagos archipelago if the United States launches an attack.
A senior Iranian military official told The Telegraph that in the event of a U.S. strike, Tehran would retaliate by hitting the joint American-British naval base in Diego Garcia.
“There will be no distinction between American and British forces if Iran is attacked from any base within range of our missiles,” the official warned.
Just last week, the military news outlet The War Zone reported that open-source intelligence indicates the U.S. has moved strategic bombers closer to Iranian nuclear sites.
The “Bunker Buster” Platform
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers have been deployed to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean—a key strategic location providing quick access to targets across the Middle East. The B-2 is particularly relevant in the context of Iran, as it can carry the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)—a 14-ton “bunker buster” bomb designed to destroy heavily fortified underground facilities. The B-2 serves as the primary delivery system for this powerful weapon.
No Bunker Too Deep
The U.S. has already demonstrated the B-2’s capabilities in recent operations. In October, the bombers flew from America to strike Houthi targets in Yemen.
“This showcases America’s ability to hit facilities our adversaries believe are out of reach—no matter how deep they’re buried or how well fortified,” then–Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at the time.
While the MOP is primarily considered a key option for targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, it may also be used against the Houthis. According to reports, the Houthis are operating a network of underground bunkers in Yemen’s Saada Governorate, near the Saudi border.
Earlier this month, Trump had already warned that “any further attacks by the Houthis will be met with overwhelming force,” adding that “Iran will be held responsible and will suffer severe consequences.”
