Israel Seeks U.S. Muscle to Cripple Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions 

Israel’s relentless air campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” has inflicted significant damage, but military officials warn that fully neutralizing Tehran’s deeply buried facilities may hinge on U.S. military support, particularly bunker-busting bombs. As Iran conserves its most advanced missiles for a potential escalation, Israel strives to keep Iranian skies open for further strikes, according to a Ynetnews analysis.

Since launching on June 13, Israel’s offensive has struck over 170 targets, including 80 in Tehran, such as the Iranian Defense Ministry, the Sepand nuclear project headquarters, and sites concealing Iran’s nuclear archive, the IDF reported.

Guided by the Intelligence Directorate, 50 fighter jets operated freely over Tehran, crippling air defenses and ballistic missile bases. Strikes killed senior IRGC officials, including Commander Gen Hossein Salami, and hit energy infrastructure like the South Pars gas field, leaving at least 78 dead, including 29 children, per Iranian reports.

A Mossad operation, smuggling explosive-laden drones into Iran, disabled defenses and missile launchers, limiting Iran’s retaliation, which killed 13 Israelis, including four in Tamra, and injured 385, with seven in serious condition, per the Ministry of Health.

Despite these gains, Iran’s nuclear facilities, scattered across a nation 80 times Israel’s size, pose a daunting challenge. “The Iranians hid their eggs in numerous baskets,” an IDF source told Ynetnews, emphasizing the need for precise intelligence to target sites like Fordow, protected by natural fortifications.

Israel’s tactic of “digging in” with close-range precision strikes has weakened defenses, allowing pilots to “fly over Tehran as if circling over Jabaliya,” but lacks the firepower to destroy deeply buried targets. U.S.-made bunker-busting bombs, deployable by B-2 or B-52 bombers, could decisively shorten the campaign, but their use awaits President Donald Trump’s approval, Israeli officials said.

Iran’s response included 300 ballistic missiles across seven salvos, but it has yet to deploy its heaviest weapons, such as the Kheibar missile, with over one-ton payloads, or fast cruise missiles. “They’re saving them for a final blow,” a Western expert warned, noting their cost limits production but enhances destructive power. Israel’s Arrow and Iron Dome systems, bolstered by U.S. THAAD interceptors, face challenges tracking Iran’s numerous launchers. U.S. Navy Aegis ships are en route, and two B-52s, escorted by Israeli F-15s, flew over Israel on June 15, signaling Washington’s backing. Iran’s 100 initial UAVs were mostly intercepted, with subsequent sporadic drone launches downed, some by helicopter gunships, reflecting Israel’s preparedness since April 2024 swarm attacks.

X posts cite global concerns. Users warned of Iran’s missile reserves, noting Tehran’s restraint may signal a strategic pause, while others point to Iran’s vow for “more ferocious” attacks if Israel persists.

Israel’s campaign aims to delay Iran’s nuclear program by years or force a better nuclear deal, but officials concede U.S. support is critical for a decisive blow. Defense Minister Israel Katz’s threat to “set Tehran ablaze” underscores the stakes, though some advocate a phased approach to minimize risks. The IDF claims Iran’s skies are now “vulnerable,” akin to Beirut, ensuring sustained air access. Civilian tolls mount, with 742 Israelis homeless, per the Welfare Ministry, and El Al canceling flights through June 30.

As Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, risking global economic fallout, the region teeters on the brink of wider conflict.