LONDON – The world's largest conventional bomb, known as the “bunker buster,” has been reportedly upgraded by the United States in recent weeks, according to media reports. The reports stated the Pentagon showed a video of the upgrade to their Israeli counterparts, “in an effort to reassure them that the US still has an effective military option against Tehran's nuclear program,” The Telegraph reported. The 20ft long, 1ft wide bomb, official named the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, now features a new design of explosive fuses to enable it to penetrate bunker depths. The report highlighted Fordow mountain complex, where Iran is enriching uranium that could be used to make a nuclear bomb, as a possible target. A series of “bunker buster” bombs have been developed with varying designs depending on the target, The Telegraph reported. “The new bunker buster has a fusing system that will withstand impact with the more than 100ft of earth and concrete that shields the chambers housing the equipment at Fordow, allowing it to penetrate deeper before exploding,” the report stated. Chuck Hagel, the US Defense Secretary, promised Israel during a visit last month that the US would look more closely at options for a a military attack on Iran. On Friday, the United States said that both Iran and North Korea are trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs, in violation of UN sanctions. – Al Arabiya
