An analysis warns that the U.S. has only a few bunker-buster bombs left in its inventory, raising questions about its ability to strike Iran’s deepest underground military facilities, according to a report published Oct. 16 by Stars and Stripes.
The report says the dwindling stock of penetrating munitions could limit U.S. military options against Iranian sites.
The warning comes amid the sudden withdrawal of U.S. B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, as noted in a separate War on the Rocks article. That piece also raised questions about whether hosting U.S. military bases in the Arab Gulf states exposes those countries to Iranian retaliation while offering insufficient protection.
In a related development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is seeking $50 billion for mass drone production, according to an Air Force Times video report.
The report did not provide a timeline for replenishing the bunker-buster stockpile.
Sources: Air Force Times · War on the Rocks