Stealth aircraft and 30,000-pound bombs: Why destroying Iran’s nuclear program is a such a difficult feat
A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels a B-2 Spirit aircraft with the 509th Bomb Wing over Kansas Aug. 29, 2012.
U.S. Air Force photo
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran is staring down the possibility of seeing its most important nuclear facilities hit by a 30,000-pound American bomb.
White House officials on Tuesday told NBC News that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a range of options including striking Iran directly, after the American leader repeatedly asserted that his administration would not allow Iran to continue its nuclear program or reach bomb-making capability.
Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and wrote in a post on Truth Social that the U.S. has the ability to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote shortly after declaring “total control” over Iranian airspace.
The rapidly escalating conflict, triggered by Israel’s surprise attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities on June 13, has sent oil prices surging and put a region on edge. Initially encouraging of diplomatic talks with Tehran, Trump’s statements have become increasingly threatening as populations across the Middle East brace for what comes next.
But destroying Iran’s nuclear program — which Tehran asserts is for civilian energy purposes only — is no easy feat.
Iran’s most advanced and hardened nuclear facility, the Fordow plant in the country’s northwest, is a fortress.
Built inside a mountain some 300 feet underground and reinforced by layers of concrete, the plant — which is the most likely target of a potential American strike — is impenetrable by any bomb except the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). The U.S. is the only country in the world that has this “bunker buster” weapon, as well as the only country with the aircraft capable of transporting and deploying it: the B2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Iran’s ongoing retaliatory attacks with ballistic missiles towards Israel are seen from Tel Aviv, Israel on June 17, 2025.
Mostafa Alkharouf | Anadolu | Getty Images
This is in part why Israel has been so eager for U.S. involvement in its offensive operations against Iran in addition to its defensive ones.
But a strike in itself would not be a one-and-done job, military experts say.
“So you have two challenges. You would have to drop two of these penetrators at the exact same site” and likely need multiple bombing rounds, according to David Des Roches, a professor and senior military fellow at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
“And then you would never be precisely sure how much of the facility you’ve damaged,” he added, meaning personnel may need to be deployed on the ground.
“This leads me to believe that for those facilities, Israel will ultimately gain control of the air and then land forces on the ground, force their way into the facility by detonating the doors, and then go and place explosive charges, exfiltrate whatever intelligence they can get, and just detonate it from the inside,” Des Roches told CNBC.
Wider war for America?
Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded over the past few days by Israeli attacks, which have taken out substantial parts of its air defenses, ballistic missile batteries, command-and-control nodes, and dozens of top commanders.
Still, such a strike by the U.S. could trigger Iran to respond by striking at U.S. assets in the region like embassies and military bases. Trump has made clear that any attack on U.S. personnel would draw a fierce American response, which would then pull the world’s most powerful military more deeply into a regional conflict.
“The Iranians have signaled that they are ready to attack U.S. bases in the region in the event of a U.S. attack on their domestic soil,” said Gregory Brew, senior analyst on Iran and energy at risk consultancy Eurasia Group, noting that American bases in Iraq are particularly vulnerable.
“There are risks in that environment that an Iranian retaliation causes U.S. casualties, kills U.S. servicemen, and potentially compels President Trump to expand the scope of U.S. action and order additional strikes on Iran and that, of course, would threaten general escalation and drag us into not just a single operation, but potentially a protracted air campaign.”
Despite its enormous scale, the GPU-57 bunker buster would not create wide-scale damage beyond the area of the facility, Des Roches said. But it would have a “profound psychological effect on the Iranians,” he added, who have already seen significant damage and radioactive contamination risk wrought to the infrastructure of several of its nuclear sites in other parts of the country.
A further critical question remains whether the Trump administration will limit itself to targeting nuclear sites, or whether it will expand operations beyond that — something Israel’s government has also been urging, as it conveys its desire to see regime change for its longtime adversary.
“I think the conflict will end when Israel is confident that Iran has lost, for a significant period of time, the ability to make a nuclear weapon, and that its defenses are weakened enough that Israel will be able to go back and effectively disrupt any further effort by Iran to make a nuclear weapon,” Des Roches argued.
If Fordow remains operational, Israel’s attacks would barely slow Iran’s ability to build a bomb, nuclear analysts say. The decisions from the While House in the coming days will therefore prove decisive not only for the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program, but for the survivability of the Islamic Republic’s regime as a whole.
Ali Vaez, Iran project director at non-profit Crisis Group, believes that “Iran can survive and rebuild its nuclear program,” even without a diplomatic avenue for a deal with the U.S.
“The U.S. entering the war will close the door on diplomacy,” Vaez told CNBC. “Trump might be able to destroy Fordow, but he won’t be able to bomb away the knowledge that Iran has already acquired.”
Back in 2018, when most electric motorcycle startups were showing off what looked like clunky science experiments or budget-minded e-scooters, a little company out of Stuttgart quietly unveiled one of the wildest-looking two-wheelers I’d ever seen. As one of the first motorcycle journalists to cover Sol Motors and their outlandish debut seven years ago, I’ve been keeping tabs on them ever since. And now I am excited to share that the Sol Pocket Rocket is finally preparing to launch in full production form. Yes, really.
The German company is now taking pre-orders for its uniquely tubular electric motorcycle that somehow looks like a mashup between a torpedo, an irrigation pipe, and a Star Wars prop. And yet, despite its cartoonish silhouette, it might just be one of the coolest ultra-urban e-motos headed for the streets.
The Sol Pocket Rocket comes in two versions: the standard model and the more powerful Pocket Rocket S. The latter packs an 8.5 kW (roughly 11.4 hp) electric motor that propels the bike to a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph), while the standard version tops out at 45 km/h (28 mph), putting it in moped territory in many markets.
That makes it a perfect fit for cities, especially in Europe where light electric mopeds and motorcycles are gaining traction among young riders who want something fast, fun, and emissions-free, but without the size, weight, or cost of a traditional motorcycle. The bike’s 2.5 kWh battery may not sound like much, but the company says it offers up to 108 km (67 miles) of range for the lower speed version or 68 km (42 miles) of range for the higher speed version, which is generally more than enough for most urban commutes. The battery is also removable, allowing for convenient charging inside your apartment or office. That can be a neat trick for riders who charge at work, essentially doubling the maximum range they can commute.
And while we’re on the topic of design – yes, it’s unusual. The Pocket Rocket’s oversized aluminum top tube houses the battery and electronics, while a minimalist seat juts out from the back like a café racer’s rear hump. There’s no bodywork to speak of, giving it a raw and industrial aesthetic that’s either futuristic or ridiculous, depending on the lighting and your mood. But I’ve got to admit, I kind of love it.
The frame, wheels, and swingarm are all nicely machined, giving the whole thing a premium feel, or at least as premium as a potato gun on wheels can look. It’s like if Bauhaus made a Hot Wheels bike that could run on electrons.
Sol Motors is positioning the Pocket Rocket not just as a stylish e-motorcycle, but as a viable alternative to cars for city dwellers who want to skip traffic and parking headaches. It’s light, fast enough for urban streets, and small enough to squeeze into even the tiniest bike parking spot.
Pre-orders are now open and pricing starts at €5,990 for the standard model and €6,980 for the S version. That’s certainly not cheap, but not outrageous in today’s market for well-designed, European-made electric two-wheelers.
Electrek’s Take
I’ve covered a lot of oddball EVs over the years, but the Sol Pocket Rocket has a special place in my heart. There’s something honest about a company that doubles down on such a bold design and actually makes it work. Sure, it looks like a giant spool holder from the wrong angle, but it also looks like a lot of fun from the right angle! And the fact that it’s fast, fun, and actually headed to production means it offers three things that are far from a guarantee in today’s market.
It may have taken the scenic route and had a false start or two, but it looks like the company is finally ready to put that rubber on the road for good this time.
After nearly seven years of anticipation, I’m thrilled to see this bizarre beauty finally hitting the road. And hey, if anyone wants to send one over for a review, my driveway’s been waiting just as long.
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Environment
The 2026 Chevy Blazer EV lineup looks a bit different, but prices still start at under $45K
Chevy is introducing an updated lineup for the 2026 Blazer EV, including a few slight modifications. Despite the changes, prices will still start at under $45,000.
2026 Chevy Blazer EV prices by trim
GM’s Chevrolet is currently the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. Through May, Chevy sold over 37,000 EVs, surpassing Ford, which sold about 34,000.
Although the Equinox EV stole the spotlight, becoming the third top-selling EV behind Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, Chevy’s electric Blazer has quiety been driving growth. In April, the Chevy Blazer EV was the sixth-best-selling EV.
With “the Equinnox and Blazer right in the heart of the market, they are really benefitting from that,” Tom Libby, an analyst at S&P Global Mobility, explained.
With the 2026 model years arriving with a few updates, Chevy looks to continue closing the gap with Tesla. Earlier this month, the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV configurator went live with base prices about $10,000 cheaper than the outgoing model. Now, it looks like the electric Blazer will be next.
New order guide data show the 2026 Chevy Blazer EV LT FWD will still start at $44,600, not including the destination fee. The 2026 model year will be available in FWD, AWD, and performance AWD configurations. However, Chevy is dropping the RWD option.
Although the base LT model is priced the same, the 2026 Chevy Blazer RS AWD is $500 more than last year’s model, starting at $50,400.
The 615 horsepower Blazer EV SS, the quickest SS Chevy vehicle to date, will still start at $60,600. Like the 2025MY, GM’s Super Cruise is standard on the SS and available for other trims. It costs $3,255 this year, the same as it did in 2025.
Other upgrades for the new model include a new Polar White Tricoat paint option and a standard dual-level charging cord, but it still lacks a NACS port.
A Chevy spokesperson confirmed to Car and Driver last month that “To simplify the product lineup while still offering the most popular options for consumers, RWD will not be available beginning with the 2026 model year.”
Up next will be the 2026 Chevy Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV,” as GM calls it. The base 2025 LT model starts at $34,995. Chevy keeping entry-level Blazer prices the same could be a good sign for the Equinox.
| 2026 Chevy Blazer EV trim | Starting MSRP* | Range (*2025MY EPA-estimated) |
| LT FWD | $44,600 | 312 miles |
| RS FWD | $50,400 | 312 miles |
| SS AWD | $60,600 | 303 miles |
With the federal EV tax credit set to expire at the end of September, Chevy is offering some serious savings opportunities. Starting at just $289 per month, the 2025 Equinox EV is hard to pass up. GM is also offering 0% APR across all 2025 Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV models.
Ready to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find deals on Chevy EV models at a dealer near you.
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Tesla has expanded the service area of its Robotaxi service in Austin, and it did so to draw a penis-shaped service map, seemingly for no other reason than to satisfy the juvenile humor of its CEO, but what it really achieved is to illustrate how unserious Tesla’s Robotaxi business is compared to other efforts.
Last month, Tesla launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, and as expected, the service was mostly for show and to give CEO Elon Musk a win after years of failed predictions regarding Tesla’s self-driving efforts.
The service was launched only for a small group of Tesla stock promoters on X, and it required a Tesla employee sitting in the front seat with a finger on a kill switch at all times.
In other words, it’s basically Tesla’s Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) in consumer vehicles, but with the supervisor moved from the driver’s seat to the front passenger seat.
Tesla also launched into a small area of South Austin, but last week, Musk said that the company would expand the service area by the weekend.
Late on Sunday, Tesla did update the service area, and it now looks like this:
There’s no practical reason to cover this specific section of Austin. The update appears to be solely to satisfy Musk’s famously juvenile sense of humor, which includes fascinations with the numbers “69” and “420”.
Tesla has also been offering rides in Robotaxi (invite-only) for $4.20 a ride.
In practice, what this joke does is illustrate just how unserious Tesla’s Robotaxi effort is in comparison to other autonomous ride-hailing programs.
Waymo already operates a larger area of Austin, and it does so without any supervisor inside the vehicle. It also operates in San Francisco, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Phoenix:
Tesla shareholders are holding on to the hope that Tesla will be able to scale faster, but Waymo has even launched in Atlanta since Tesla launched its limited service in Austin, and they are preparing to launch in Philadelphia and New York.
Meanwhile, Tesla still operates with supervisors inside its vehicles – a step that Waymo completed years ago.
Electrek’s Take
Look, I love a joke as much as the next guy, but when the whole service is a joke, maybe don’t draw a penis with the service map.
In China, I rode in Baidu’s Apollo Go, and it simply works without anyone in the car, and it is in operation in half a dozen cities.
It’s cool to see Tesla making progress here, but what’s less cool is the moving of the goalpost that leads to people forgetting that Tesla has promised unsupervised self-driving in all vehicles built since 2016.
Meanwhile, its progress has yet to outpace competition and CEO Elon Musk is out there claiming Tesla is the leader in self-driving with no close second.
It’s a level of delusion that you don’t want to see in someone deploying “self-driving” 5,000-lb machines moving at high speeds on public roads.
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