Explosion Video Shared by Trump Raises Tensions Amid Reports of Strikes in Isfahan

Tehran:US President Donald Trump has shared a video showing a massive explosion in Iran, which media reports claim occurred in the city of Isfahan early Tuesday morning. The footage captures multiple blasts followed by large fires lighting up the night sky in bright orange hues.

While Trump did not provide any context for the video, several reports suggest it may depict joint US-Israeli strikes on a major ammunition depot in Isfahan. The city, home to around 2.3 million people, also houses the Badr military airbase.

According to a US official quoted by The Wall Street Journal, the strike involved 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. “A high volume of bunker busters, or penetrator munitions, was used in the attack,” the official said.

The reported strike is believed to have triggered powerful secondary explosions, sending fireballs and shockwaves across the area. The incident has intensified concerns of further escalation as the conflict enters its second month, even as countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Recent reports indicate that Iran may have relocated approximately 540 kg of highly enriched uranium to an underground facility in Isfahan. The city had previously been targeted during a US strike last summer under Operation Midnight Hammer, which focused on nuclear-related infrastructure.

The developments follow Trump’s warning on Monday that the US could launch widespread attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and water plants if a resolution to the conflict is not reached “shortly.” He also threatened action if negotiations with what he described as a “more reasonable regime” fail to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have repeatedly claimed that Iran is nearing the capability to build a nuclear weapon—an assertion not supported by the UN nuclear watchdog. This comes despite Trump’s earlier claim that key Iranian sites had been “obliterated” in previous strikes.

What Are Bunker Busters?

“Bunker busters” are specialised bombs designed to penetrate deep into the ground or through reinforced concrete before detonating. Their hardened steel casing allows them to drill through layers of earth or structures, exploding only after reaching fortified targets.

According to munitions expert Ryan Brobst, these bombs often contain smaller explosive payloads compared to conventional weapons, but their effectiveness lies in their ability to reach otherwise inaccessible targets.

Some advanced variants are equipped with hard target smart fuses (HTSF), enabling them to detect changes in density or count structural layers before detonation. Others may even include sensors that trigger explosions only under specific conditions.

Though not new—they have existed since World War II—bunker busters became more prominent during US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, where underground bunkers and cave-based command centres required precision strikes.

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