Did B-2s Just Drop GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators On Another Iranian Nuclear Site?

Satellite images from Vantor show that an area long linked to Iran’s nuclear program has been hit. The trio of very large impact points also increases the likelihood that the fortified facility will be hit by 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs. MOPs were first used operationally during the US’s Operation Midnight Hammer attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year. The Taleghan 2 site was covered with a new concrete shell and covered with earth in the months leading up to the current conflict; This may have led to the need to use more capable munitions that could be penetrated to have a better chance of ensuring destruction.

Vantor’s post-attack footage of Taleghan 2, seen at the top and bottom of this story, was taken earlier today. As mentioned, three very large and precise impact points are visible at the top of the facility.

Vantor also shared previous images of Taleghan 2 taken on March 6, 2026 and November 14, 2025. Other parts of Parchin were specifically hit on March 6, but Taleghan 2 was untouched at the time.

High resolution images provided to the Institute via video @VantorTech It shows significant damage to solid rocket fuel engine production facilities at Parchin. These production facilities have been destroyed several times, the first of which was during Israeli air strikes in October 2024 and… pic.twitter.com/FfNk6SczGh

— Institute of Science (@TheGoodISIS) March 6, 2026

Taleghan 2 was already covered with a new layer of concrete in mid-January this year. Territory was also added in the weeks before joint US-Israeli operations began on February 28. It was observed that Iran also bought land. further hardening and/or capping steps There were a number of other significant installations around the country in the lead up to the current conflict, but not to this degree. TWZ Similar activities were noted at Iran’s nuclear facilities before the Operation Midnight Hammer attacks last year.

For the last two to three weeks, Iran has been busy burying the new Taleghan 2 facility in the Parchin military complex. After the concrete sarcophagus around the facility hardened, Iran did not hesitate to move soil to a large portion of the new facility. More land… pic.twitter.com/LWSrCnDdfy

— Institute of Science (@TheGoodISIS) February 17, 2026

We don’t know what munitions were used to hit Taleghan 2, but the impact points are at least broadly consistent with those seen following Operation Midnight Hammer at Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities. During this operation, B-2 bombers dropped 12 GBU-57/Bs on Fordow and two MOPs on Natanz.

When reached TWZU.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on whether GBU-57/Bs were dropped at Taleghan 2 or elsewhere in Iran during the current campaign. The only aircraft currently operationally certified to carry MOP is the B-2 bomber, which can each carry two massive bombs at once. B-2s have been hitting Iran since the first night of the conflict.

From what can be seen from satellite images, Taleghan 2 appears to be buried as deeply as the underground facility at Fordow or Natanz. It has also been thoroughly and deliberately hardened against attack over the last few months, which could have led to the decision to target it with GBU-57/Bs. This work was also done relatively quickly, with a clear view of protecting the area from attack.

Other aspects of the target may also have been a factor. In the attacks on Fordow last year, B-2s dropped six MOPs each into two air gaps to achieve the desired penetration. These vents provided a weak channel through which bombs could penetrate much deeper to reach the target chamber deep within the mountain. Although shallower, Taleghan 2 does not appear to have any similar entrances easily visible. The use of 30,000-pound bombs would also have helped ensure further total destruction of this high-priority facility. The determination that MOPs are necessary may also explain why this was not done before.

The video below is a montage of footage from past GBU-57/B tests that the US military released after Operation Midnight Hammer last year.

It is possible that other munitions were used to hit Taleghan 2. Smaller bunker busters can be thrown repeatedly at the same target spot to create openings and then create significant effects inside. CENTCOM had previously confirmed that B-2s had conducted salvo-by-salvo attacks on deeply buried targets in Iran. 2,000-pound class bunker buster bombs.

Last night, 2000 lbs. US B-2 stealth bombers armed with bombs hit Iran’s hardened ballistic missile facilities. No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve. pic.twitter.com/6JpG73lHYW

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

The shooting down of Taleghan 2 fits with the US military’s stated primary goal of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program. The site is linked to long-standing allegations of nuclear weapons-related work at Parchin, which Iranian officials have consistently denied. Taleghan 2 is believed to be a particularly Production facility for special conventional explosives required for nuclear weapons.

The Israelis had previously struck Taleghan 2 in 2024 and then targeted Parchin again during the 12-Day War last year. In both cases, Iran subsequently rebuilt key facilities in the complex.

The latest attack on Taleghan 2 has revealed what ammunition may have been used and whether what was left behind has been thoroughly revealed.

Contact the writer: joe@twz.com