I read that 'Only' the USA B2 Spirit can carry and drop the MOP bomb/missile to damage Fordow sufficiently.

However, I believe the IDF have C130s. Surely that has sufficient lift, and surely the ingenious IDF could cobble together the necessary mods?

That ignores the practicality of borrowing a MOP or two, but stranger things have happened. In WW II Lancasters were modded very quickly to carry the various Barnes Wallis weapons.

Just sayin'

https://tinyurl.com/5c7xxrrb

China signals readiness to step into Iran-Israel conflict

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday voiced strong concern over Israel’s recent military actions against Iran, warning that continued escalation threatens regional stability and undermines international interests.

Speaking during a high-level summit with Central Asian leaders in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Xi said China is “deeply worried” about the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran.

His comments marked Beijing’s first public statement on the latest round of military exchanges in the region, which erupted last Friday.
“Israel’s military operation against Iran has sharply worsened tensions in the Middle East,” Xi said, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency. “We oppose any actions that infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries.”

In a bilateral meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Xi warned that military conflict is not a viable path to resolve disputes and called for restraint by all parties involved. “Rising instability in the region does not serve the common interests of the international community,” he said.

The Chinese president’s statement comes as Israeli airstrikes continue to target Iranian military infrastructure, prompting fears that the confrontation could spiral into a broader regional war. China has historically positioned itself as a neutral actor in Middle East affairs but has growing economic and energy stakes in the region—especially with Iran.

According to Chinese state sources, Xi emphasized China’s readiness to work with all sides to prevent further escalation and to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East. “China is willing to play a constructive role in bringing the region back to stability,” he said.

China’s concern over the Israel-Iran conflict also reflects deeper strategic calculations. The Chinese economy depends heavily on Iranian oil exports, and any disruption in supply chains or spike in global energy prices would likely worsen China’s ongoing economic slowdown. Beijing has invested heavily in energy infrastructure linked to Iran, including through its Belt and Road Initiative.

Although Xi did not mention the energy dimension directly in his remarks, Chinese officials have privately acknowledged that continued instability in the Gulf could pose a direct threat to national energy security. More than half of China’s crude oil imports from the Middle East come from or pass through the Persian Gulf region.

China has recently strengthened diplomatic ties with Gulf states, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Iran itself. In recent days, Beijing also reached out to Oman with a message that “we cannot sit by” and let the Israel-Iran situation spiral out of control, according to the Foreign Ministry of Oman.

While China has no formal defense alliance with Tehran, Beijing has been a consistent voice against Western-led military interventions in the Middle East and has supported diplomatic alternatives in regional disputes.

Xi’s remarks reinforce China’s broader narrative as a counterbalance to U.S. influence in the region—urging dialogue and criticizing unilateral military action. However, critics argue that Beijing’s engagement has been largely rhetorical and lacks the political leverage needed to de-escalate major regional conflicts.

Probably wouldn't work due to slower speed and lower max. altitude than a B-2 giving much less kinetic energy
but never say never :)

See this story which discusses the proposal.

https://www.twz.com/air/could-israel...bunker-busters
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On timing of any full-scale US intervention, precedent suggests they normally take time to get overwhelming force fully in place before making a move. That process appears to be ongoing.

My bold.

I don't recall him saying that about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Must be my memory.

Slightly clickbaity headline. Nothing in Xi's words about "stepping in" militarily, rather a readiness to "work with both sides" to de-escalate etc.

Even if you have interfered with incoming missiles so they don’t strike their ”intended” targets, the debris has to land somewhere. It doesn’t disappear in a poof of smoke. It’s hazardous junk.

I use the word “intended” in quotes, as I’m not sure they’re aiming at anything in particular. They may just be shooting anywhere that seems like a weak spot in Israel’s defense shield, leading Israel to ask that citizens not post the locations of where missiles/drones/bombs have successfully landed/exploded.

Or put the enemy slightly off guard!

Exactly! Personally I think that IDF SF might do something in the meantime especially as some pundits are claiming that B-2A + GBU-57 MOP might not be able to finish the job.
The NSC meeting yesterday was short so no doubt President Trump knows the answer one way or the other on the likelihood of success with GBU-57 but also has to weigh the risks of retaliation on US forces in the area.

Tomorrow is "within the next two weeks"...

But if he does wait the best part of 14 days before enacting a decision the situation may well have changed significantly.

Same with this one from the same article - hopefully he practises what he preaches!

This has a familiar ring.

It's not TACO, it's TWACO; Two Weeks And Chicken Out.

2 Chinese electronic intelligence ships, the 855 and the 815A, are in the Persian Gulf, sucking in everything they can on Israeli F-35, F-15 and other assets operating overhead Iran including their EW systems.

H I Sutton - Covert Shores

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_815_spy_ship

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....58190c4451.png

US Fox News Senior White House Correspondent - debunking nonsense in The Guardian Trump caution on Iran strike linked to doubts over ‘bunker buster’ bomb, officials say | Iran | The Guardian

"A White House official tells me the contents of this report are false – that the US military has no doubt about the efficacy of bunker busters in eliminating the site at Fordow, also denying that any options (including tactical nukes) have been taken off the table."

In other news, dog bites man.

We do it, they do it. We (the west) do it to one another such as the French at Red Flag. I’d be surprised if they weren’t there.

There are modes and capabilities you use use in peacetime practice and exercises and there are those you only ever use in war.

I think the Chinese are happy to be on the sidelines of the latter.

👍👍👍👍👍

Israel shattered a myth that many clueless voices believed:

Drones haven’t replaced multirole jets. Despite Iran’s massive drone fleet and missile arsenal, Israeli F35, F15, and F16 jets dominate the skies. Air superiority still belongs to modern, well-organized air forces.

Elon Musk once claimed F35 multirole jets were obsolete because of drones. Operation Rising Lion proves how wrong—and clueless—that take was. Iran’s air defense and air force were large, but outdated. Israel dismantled them in days. Drones alone don’t win wars.

Russia couldn’t do this in Ukraine, despite a bigger air force. Israel’s success shows the power of a proper modern air force.

Ukraine needs more than just air defense—it needs jets, missiles and bombs for them, and AWACS to protect civilians and deter future threats…….

Let’s step up…. Ukraine’s air power is its shield—and our responsibility.

I would imagine so.

Unsubstantiated, but still….