Missiles That Think, Bombs That Dig: The Weapons That Could Define Trump’s Next Iran Decision

In the wake of recent tensions following Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025—the first operational use of America’s most powerful non-nuclear bunker busters—the United States has demonstrated a specialised arsenal designed to penetrate Iran’s deeply fortified infrastructure. If President Donald Trump authorises a new strike in 2026, the US military would likely deploy a combination of stealth technology, long-range precision munitions, and secretive cyber capabilities to bypass Iran’s increasingly sophisticated, Russian-supplied air defences.

Plan B-2

The cornerstone of any strategic strike on Iran remains the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. In the June 2025 strikes, seven B-2s flew 18-hour non-stop missions from Missouri to drop the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance

Penetrator (MOP). Weighing 30,000 pounds, the MOP is the only conventional weapon capable of burrowing through 200 feet of reinforced concrete and rock to reach hardened sites like the Fordow enrichment plant. For a 2026 operation, these would likely be supported by F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, which act as “digital snipers” to blind Iranian radar and clear a path for the heavier bombers.

Tomahawk Test

To overwhelm Iranian defences and strike surface infrastructure, the US Navy relies heavily on the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM). Fired from guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) like the USS Georgia or the newer Virginia-class vessels, these cruise missiles can be launched from hundreds of miles away, skimming the terrain to hit ballistic missile factories and command centres in Isfahan or Natanz. In any new 2026 scenario, the Navy would likely debut the Block V Tomahawk, which features advanced anti-ship capabilities and updated communication links that allow the missile to be redirected in flight.

Cyber Warfare

Beyond physical munitions, the 2026 conflict landscape features “secretive cyber weapons” and electronic warfare. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has increasingly focused on neutralising Iran’s digital counter-insurgency tools. This includes using military-grade electronic jamming to protect Starlink satellite signals, ensuring that protesters and anti-government sources can maintain communications during state-imposed internet blackouts. Cyberattacks would likely target the “brain” of the Iranian military—its integrated air defence networks and drone command-and-control centres—to disable the regime’s ability to retaliate with its own “swarm” drone tactics.

AI Defence

Finally, the US has bolstered its regional “shield” with Patriot and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile batteries stationed in Israel and Qatar. These are not just defensive; they are integrated into a new air defence coordination cell at Al-Udeid Air Base, which uses AI-driven tracking to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. If a strike is ordered to protect protesters from state violence, the US could also deploy AGM-158 JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles) fired from B-21 Raider prototypes or B-52 bombers, allowing for “standoff” strikes that destroy targets from outside the reach of Iran’s surface-to-air missiles.