Iran

[Less Hair]

Fordo post strike sat image (AP):

https://apnews.com/live/israel-iran-war-updates

https://apnews.com/live/israel-iran-war-updates#00000197-96e4-dd0d-abff-f7e44c7f0000?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

[NutLoose]

Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News that Britain was notified as a key ally, though he didn’t know the actual timing. He said the U.S. did not ask for support and Britain was not involved.

“Whilst the British government, the U.K., has not been involved in these attacks, we have been making extensive preparations for all eventualities,” Reynolds said.

He said the government was working on how to look after British nationals as well as its military bases, personnel and infrastructure in the region.

Putting an ad in the Oxford Mail for a man with his own bicycle to carry out roving patrol tasks at Brize Norton?

[dead_pan]

I for one will grudgingly admit that Trump played us all with his 'two weeks' ploy. Also there was a nice bit of misdirection by with reports that the B2s were positioning to Guam.

As for Iranians, they never fail to miss an opportunity. I'd be saying that the facility was heavily damaged, rescue efforts were underway etc etc.

[Andy_S]

Originally Posted by jolihokistix

And there you have it. Giant ego time. Iran officials have just stuck out their collective chin and said, "That didn't hurt! What else you got?"

Asking for it, or what?

Exactly this.

If, hypothetically, Forno was relatively undamaged, I think I'd be keeping very quiet about it rather than giving the Americans a reason to come back for more.

Originally Posted by NutLoose

The Houthi’s have declared war on the US, I wonder how many other Arab states will also join in.

My guess is precisely zero.

[TWT]

X - Formerly Twitter

https://x.com/avischarf/status/1936717477276160022

https://x.com/avischarf/status/1936719275244290412

[RAFEngO74to09]

Brief by Sec Def & Chairman JCS

7 x B-2A with 14 x GBU-57A/B + large escort/SEAD package of 5th & 4th Gen fighters.
No Iranian SAM launches detected on way in or out.

You Tube

[Lonewolf_50]

How does the government of Iran massage this into garnering more support from the general population? "Us against them" can be an effective messaging tool. I've seen a few articles recently that Grand Ayatollah Khameini is reaching the end of his tenure, and the maneuvering has already begun to try and replace him.

Does this give him a new lease on life, politically?
Will the IRGC keep backing him? If they don't, who will they move their support to?

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

https://iran.liveuamap.com/

A bit more information and timeline in this link for those who are interested.

[Martin the Martian]

Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09

Brief by Sec Def & Chairman JCS

7 x B-2A with 14 x GBU-57A/B + large escort/SEAD package of 5th & 4th Gen fighters.
No Iranian SAM launches detected on way in or out.

I thought the whole point of the B-2 was that it wouldn't need an escort package?

[ethereal entity]

I recall watching a video called ‘Midnight Hammer’ on detachment. Different subject matter, although it did include massive penetrators…

[Lonewolf_50]

Originally Posted by ORAC

“The enriched uranium reserves had been transferred from the nuclear centres and there are no materials left there that, if targeted, would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots,” he told the channel.

I think the Iranian public needed to hear that the risks of contamination have been mitigated.

Originally Posted by SATCOS WHIPPING BOY

https://iran.liveuamap.com/
A bit more information and timeline in this link for those who are interested.

Looks like the Israelis are following up with more attacks this morning. FFS, when does this stop?

That's a neat tool/site you linked to there. Quite informative.

[West Coast]

Originally Posted by jethro15

If you think that the UK and EU had NO part in this operation....dream on!

Jethro, seems your assessment is incorrect regarding UK involvement. Still waiting on clarification from you regarding EU involvement.

"Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News that Britain was notified as a key ally, though he didn’t know the actual timing. He said the U.S. did not ask for support and Britain was not involved"

“Whilst the British government, the U.K., has not been involved in these attacks, we have been making extensive preparations for all eventualities,” Reynolds said.

[Coupez]

Originally Posted by Martin the Martian

I thought the whole point of the B-2 was that it wouldn't need an escort package?

B-2 was designed over 40 years ago for a different mission. Not needing an escort doesn't mean it's not prudent to use one.

B-1B was touted as a strictly nuclear bomber. They had to rip all the rotary launchers out and equip them with conventional bomb racks. Missions evolve over time.

[Una Due Tfc]

Originally Posted by Martin the Martian

I thought the whole point of the B-2 was that it wouldn't need an escort package?

Improvements to RADARs mean stealthy aircraft are not as stealthy as they used to be. Seeing them and hitting them are two different things obviously.

The B2 is 80s tech, although in all likelihood there are aircraft flying today that the public doesn't know about, remember how long it was before Blackbird and Nighthawk were publicly disclosed.

[Mr Mac]

I note despite Mr Trump protestations re total success the military are being more coy saying they are still awaiting better evidence on damage assessment. I have no knowledge of the use of these weapons but historically the RAF Earthquake bombs though effective did not always hit target the first attempts and indeed multiple raids required.

So for me show me some evidence before you start to say you have stopped the program. As for the retribution for there will be one,I would suspect a soft target like the bombings in East Africa and not tomorrow but in a time and place of Iranian choosing.

Regards
Mr Mac

[langleybaston]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

I note despite Mr Trump protestations re total success the military are being more coy saying they are still awaiting better evidence on damage assessment. I have no knowledge of the use of these weapons but historically the RAF Earthquake bombs though effective did not always hit target the first attempts and indeed multiple raids required.

So for me show me some evidence before you start to say you have stopped the program. As for the retribution for there will be one,I would suspect a soft target like the bombings in East Africa and not tomorrow but in a time and place of Iranian choosing.

Regards
Mr Mac

Regardless of how severe, or very severe, the Fordow damage turns out to be, would Iran ever resume / continue work there? Death-wish. Trump would never allow such a propaganda victory. If Iranian enrichment is not halted for a decade, my c8x a cucumber.
Just checking for salad cream stocks.

[B Fraser]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

I note despite Mr Trump protestations re total success the military are being more coy saying they are still awaiting better evidence on damage assessment. I have no knowledge of the use of these weapons but historically the RAF Earthquake bombs though effective did not always hit target the first attempts and indeed multiple raids required.

AFAIK, the raids on the Tirpitz saw strikes within 150m of the target, courtesy of a bomb sight. Todays bombs are GPS equipped and self-steerable to a point where the second bomb can pop down the hole created by the first.

[Goanna01]

How would you even assess the damage to a site the best part of a kilometre underground? I guess satellite images would be of limited use, do the weapons themselves have any sensors that send back info on how deep they detonated? Would the US be largely relying on intercepted Iranian reports of the damage?
Sorry for the civilian intrusion.

[Andy_S]

Originally Posted by Mr Mac

I note despite Mr Trump protestations re total success the military are being more coy saying they are still awaiting better evidence on damage assessment. I have no knowledge of the use of these weapons but historically the RAF Earthquake bombs though effective did not always hit target the first attempts and indeed multiple raids required.

So for me show me some evidence before you start to say you have stopped the program.

Given how effective Mossad have been at inserting agents into Iranian society, I guess it won't be too long before they know one way or another.

[rotorwills]

The size of the explosive charge is estimated to be effective with a 10m radius. Given that statistic it would be extremely unlikely that any major damage has been done to the deep underground facilities, unless one had precise accurate information. Trump hasn't a clue as to what the level of underground damage has occurred. Maybe someone in Iran has, but even that's unlikely as I'm pretty sure they all were evacuated.