In early March 2026, as the US-Israel-Iran conflict escalated into Operation Epic Fury, the world witnessed an overwhelming display of American stealth technology. Iran mobilized its entire remaining fighter fleet – from aging Shah-era F-14 Tomcats and MiG-29s to Su-24s and F-4 Phantoms – hoping to stop the wave of aerial attacks.

But they encountered an invisible enemy: the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber – the “Death Bat” of the US Air Force.

Why was Iran almost unable to detect, let alone shoot down, the B-2?

Superior stealth: The B-2 has a radar cross-section (RCS) smaller than a bird, combined with radar-absorbing coatings and a tailless wing design → S-300, S-400 radars or Iran’s domestic air defense systems were virtually blind.

Flying from the US to Iran: Departing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, the flight lasted 30–40 hours with in-flight refueling, traversing half the globe without landing.

Escort airstrikes: F-22 Raptors and F-35s cleared the way, neutralizing radar, command systems, and any Iranian fighter jets that dared to take off → Iranian airspace was virtually under US-Israeli control before the B-2s entered the area.

The result? Not a single B-2 was sH๏τ down (despite rumors circulating on social media). Conversely, the Iranian air force was virtually annihilated within days: many aircraft were destroyed on the ground, and the rest dared not take off for fear of being “hunted” by the F-22s.

The most terrifying part: How did the US destroy Iran’s “underground missile city”?

Iran proudly boasts its “missile cities”—mᴀssive cave systems buried deep beneath mountains, containing hundreds of Fateh, Zolfaghar, and Sejjil ballistic missiles, some even with launch doors extending directly from the cave ceiling. These are designed to survive conventional nuclear attacks.

But the US offers weapons specifically designed to counter underground bunkers:

The GBU-31 JDAM 2,000 lb penetrating bomb (BLU-109)—dozens of these dropped precisely from B-2 bombers can penetrate thick steel doors, collapsing the entrance to the bunker.

The GBU-57 MOP (if a heavier version is used)—a 30,000 lb penetrating bomb, previously used in Fordow/Natanz in 2025, can penetrate dozens of meters of concrete before detonating.

The “overpressure” effect + structural collapse: Once the entrance collapses and the ventilation system is destroyed, the missiles inside are easily damaged or rendered unusable.

Commercial satellite imagery shows numerous cave entrances in the Tabriz North area and other bases completely collapsed overnight after B-2 operations. Hundreds of strategic missiles – the pride of the IRGC – were buried or destroyed before they could be launched.

In short:

Iran’s fighter jets: brave but outdated, with almost no chance against airspace controlled by the US and Israel.

B-2 Spirit: flew in, dropped bombs, flew out – not a single anti-aircraft fire hit them.

Cave missiles: the “impregnable city” turned out to be impregnable… before encountering B-2s and bunker busters.

This war once again proves: in the modern age, stealth, precision, and global reach still reign supreme. Iran may rebuild its bunkers, but losing its ability to deter underground missiles is a huge strategic loss.