Bipartisan bill would let Trump send B-2 bombers and bunker buster bombs to Israel if Iran resumes nuclear weapons development.

Bipartisan Push to Boost Israeli Defense

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers has introduced new legislation that would authorize President Donald Trump to transfer advanced U.S. military hardware—including B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs—to Israel if Iran resumes efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. The bill, known as the Bunker Buster Act, is led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., in direct response to growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The proposed act would empower the president to take decisive steps to ensure Israel is equipped to deter or counter any potential Iranian nuclear breakout. Lawmakers argue the move is essential after recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities. President Trump claimed the operation “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, while Israel also struck multiple targets, eliminating senior Iranian military leaders.

However, Israel does not currently possess the U.S.-developed GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—30,000-pound precision-guided bombs designed to destroy deeply buried targets. Nor does the U.S. transfer custody of its 19 operational B-2 bombers to allies. The Bunker Buster Act would allow, for the first time, the provision of such capabilities to Israel should a renewed Iranian nuclear threat arise.

Rep. Gottheimer emphasized the bill’s significance, stating, “Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror and one of America’s top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon. That’s why I strongly supported our military actions earlier this month. Israel must be able to defend herself against Iran and ensure that Iran cannot rebuild its nuclear capabilities.”

Rep. Lawler added, “This bill gives the President the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place.”

IAEA Warns on Iran’s Enrichment Capabilities

Despite recent airstrikes, concerns persist over Iran’s ability to rapidly restart uranium enrichment. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chair Rafael Grossi told French media that while the centrifuges at Iran’s Fordow underground nuclear site are no longer operational after U.S. strikes, Iran retains significant technical capabilities. “In a matter of months, a few cascades of centrifuges could be spinning and producing enriched uranium,” Grossi warned, cautioning that severe damage had been inflicted, but not total destruction.

Grossi noted, “Iran has the capacities there—industrial and technological capacities. So if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again.” Some officials have also questioned whether Iran may have moved enriched uranium stock away from the targeted sites prior to the strikes, further fueling uncertainty.

Regional Tensions Remain High

Meanwhile, in the wake of a Houthi missile strike on Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee floated the idea of using B-2 bombers against Houthi targets in Yemen. U.S. B-2 bombers previously struck targets in Yemen in October 2024, as missile threats in the region persisted. Huckabee remarked, “Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!” after describing the effectiveness of Israel’s missile defense systems in a recent incident.

As lawmakers push for new security guarantees for Israel, the Bunker Buster Act is set to fuel debate in Congress over the scope of U.S. military support for allies and the ongoing risks posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The bill’s fate will help shape the next phase of American and Israeli defense strategy in the Middle East.