The U.S. has deployed 5,000-pound GBU-72/B bunker buster bombs against hardened Iranian targets, signaling a deeper and more demanding phase of the conflict. Officials confirmed the strikes targeted anti-ship missile infrastructure along the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say the use of such high-end, specialized munitions suggests the war is far from easy, with Washington increasingly relying on top-tier weapons to maintain pressure. Data shows thousands of munitions have already been expended in just days, straining stockpiles of key systems like ATACMS, THAAD, and Patriot interceptors, while losses of critical radar and drone assets further highlight the intensity and cost of the conflict.