ISTANBUL

A US plan to destroy Iran’s most fortified nuclear facility with a bunker-buster bomb “will work,” as they “have the capability,” the Axios news site reported Wednesday, citing American officials.

The statement referred to the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bomb designed to penetrate hardened underground targets.

“The bunker buster will work. It’s not a capabilities issue. We have the capability. But there’s an entire plan (for a possible attack). It’s not just drop a bunker buster and declare victory,” a senior US official told Axios.

According to the report, Trump has asked military advisers directly about the effectiveness of the MOP and whether it could neutralize the Fordow nuclear site. Pentagon officials expressed confidence in the plan, but the president has not made a final decision.

The Fordow nuclear facility is an underground uranium enrichment site – the country’s deepest and most fortified nuclear installation designed to withstand conventional airstrikes.

“We’re going to be ready to strike Iran. We’re not convinced yet that we’re necessary,” a US official told Axios. “The president’s just not convinced we are needed yet.”

Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi told local broadcaster Channel 12 on Tuesday that Israel’s attacks on Iran “will not end without damaging the Fordow nuclear facility.”

Hanegbi said Israel is continuing dialogue with the US but is not trying to convince Washington to join any operation.