Israel politely rejected a US proposal to acquire B-2 bombs for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing logistical and economic concerns, according to a source on X. The proposal, made by President Trump, involved providing B-2 bombers to Israel for attacks on facilities in Forddo, Nanziz, and Esperan. Israel's assessment found the aircraft to be a "logistical and economic nightmare," with each flight costing approximately $135,000 and requiring 119 hours of ground maintenance. Furthermore, Israel determined the need was for a single operation rather than frequent use. Instead of receiving the bombers, Israel offered to send pilots to the US for B-2 training and proposed that the US government lend some aircraft for attacks in Iran. The source also noted potential legal issues surrounding the export of B-2s, which the Trump administration believed it could overcome. This development occurred amid Israeli media reports of a "deep rupture" in relations between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. In parallel, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, speaking from New York on September 21st, 2025, condemned an Israeli attack in Bint Jbeil that occurred between 2:08 PM and 3:06 PM UTC, killing five people, including three children. President Aoun stated that Israel continues to violate international resolutions and appealed to the international community to pressure Israel for withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
