From Sky to Underground: Inside the US Bunker Buster-Strikes Targeting the Strait of Hormuz

March 18, 2026

Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated as the United States carried out major airstrikes near the Strait of Hormuz.

Using powerful 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, US forces targeted underground Iranian missile sites that were threatening global shipping.

But how deadly are these bombs, and why are they so important in modern warfare? Let’s break it down.

What are bunker-buster bombs?

Bunker-buster bombs are specially designed weapons made to destroy targets hidden deep underground. Unlike normal bombs that explode on impact, these bombs first drill into the ground and then explode.

Think of them like a hammer with a sharp tip. Their hard steel casing allows them to break through layers of soil, rock, or concrete before detonating. This makes them highly effective against:

• Underground missile bases
• Military bunkers
• Command centres
• Nuclear facilities

Interestingly, they don’t always carry more explosive material than regular bombs—their strength lies in how deep they can go before exploding.

How deadly is the GBU-72?

The bomb used in these recent strikes is the GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator. It weighs around 5,000 pounds (over 2,200 kg) and is one of the most advanced bunker-busters in the US arsenal.

Here’s why it is considered highly deadly:

• Deep penetration: It can reach underground targets that are safe from normal airstrikes. Earlier versions could penetrate up to 150 feet of earth or 15 feet of concrete—GBU-72 is believed to go even deeper.
• Precision targeting: It uses GPS guidance, meaning it can hit specific targets with high accuracy.
• Massive internal damage: Since it explodes underground, the blast is contained, causing maximum destruction inside bunkers rather than outside.
• Shockwave effect: The explosion sends powerful shockwaves through the ground, collapsing tunnels and structures.

In simple terms, if a facility is buried deep for protection, this bomb is designed specifically to destroy it.

Why were these bombs used near the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes in the world. Nearly 27% of global oil trade passes through it.

Iran had reportedly placed anti-ship missiles in underground coastal sites, along with mines and drones, effectively blocking the route. This caused oil prices to surge and disrupted global trade.

By using bunker-buster bombs, the US aimed to:

• Destroy hidden missile systems
• Reduce threats to commercial ships
• Reopen the vital waterway

Final takeaway

These 5,000-pound bunker-busters are not just big bombs—they are precision tools built for one purpose: destroying what is supposed to be indestructible.

Their real danger lies in their ability to reach where no other weapon can. In conflicts like this, where key military assets are buried deep underground, bunker-busters like the GBU-72 can change the course of operations quickly.

However, their use also signals a serious escalation, showing that the conflict is moving into a more intense and dangerous phase.