Iran Recovers 9,000 Bomb Fragments and US ‘Bunker Busters’ in Zanjan

According to a statement from the Zanjan branch's public relations office, specialized search teams uncovered the massive cache of weaponry while conducting province-wide sweeps during a pause in hostilities. Among the recovered munitions were three highly powerful US-made GBU-57 Bunker Busters, each weighing approximately 2,000 pounds.

The IRGC statement alleged that enemy aircraft attempted to contaminate critical areas and agricultural lands by deploying cluster bombs and aerial mines. In addition to the fragments, authorities recovered 52 rockets and more than 10 missiles fired from F-15, F-16, and advanced F-35 fighter jets that failed to detonate upon impact due to technical malfunctions. These unexploded ordinances include a 500-pound long-range cruise missile and a GBU-39 small diameter bomb.

The IRGC further noted that a significant portion of these missiles, fired from advanced US and Israeli aircraft, had been intercepted and neutralized by Iranian air defense systems over Zanjan. Two of the recovered bunker busters have already been destroyed in controlled environments, while one intact unit was handed over to relevant authorities for detailed forensic analysis. Military analysts suggest that this IRGC operation has successfully mitigated a severe threat to Zanjan’s sensitive installations and public safety.