U.S. national security analyst Hal Kempfer says the United States could deploy B-2 stealth bombers again if it decides to strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, citing the aircraft’s ability to carry specialized bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate heavily fortified underground targets.
Kempfer made the remarks in a Fox News video published on Monday, July 13, 2026, while discussing comments by U.S. President Donald Trump during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
According to Kempfer, Trump referred to Pickaxe Mountain as a facility he would consider targeting “right at the front door.” He said the site houses centrifuges used to enrich uranium as well as equipment for converting the material into weapons-grade form.
Kempfer noted that, like other Iranian nuclear facilities, the uranium enrichment plant at Pickaxe Mountain is largely located underground, making it a difficult target that would require specialized weapons.
“So if we do hit it, you can guess that we may have to use B-2 bombers again because they can carry a special type of bomb we used at another facility out there,” he said.
He added that, besides an aerial strike, the president could also consider deploying U.S. special forces to conduct a raid on the facility. However, Kempfer stressed that no decision had been made.
The analyst said continued discussion of possible military action reflects the failure of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme to produce an agreement.
His comments came amid heightened regional tensions following a series of military incidents around the Strait of Hormuz and a Saudi Arabian strike on a Houthi-controlled airport in Yemen.
Kempfer said the United States was sending a clear message to Iran that continued support for terrorist groups and advancement of its nuclear programme could result in military consequences.
