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Proposal

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Proposal from President Donald J. Trump to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Subject: Revised Cost Estimate for U.S. Air Strike Support Against Iranian Targets, Including Tanker Operations and Surcharge
Date: June 19, 2025
 
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
To advance Israel’s strategic goal of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear and energy infrastructure, the United States is prepared to deploy two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and two B-52 Stratofortress bombers to conduct precision strikes on the Fordow nuclear facility and area saturation bombing of Iran’s oil fields. This revised proposal includes all costs associated with the operation—flight operations, munitions, maintenance for the bombers, and tanker aircraft support—plus a 2% surcharge to cover administrative and contingency expenses. Israel is required to provide full payment to the U.S. Treasury prior to the aircraft departing their bases.
 
This mission will showcase America’s unmatched military power and decisively cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions and economic leverage, reinforcing our shared commitment to regional security. Below is the detailed cost breakdown, which Israel will reimburse in full before mission commencement.
1. Operational Flight Costs (Bombers)
The mission involves deploying two B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and two B-52Hs from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, to strike targets in Iran. The round-trip distance is approximately 14,000 miles, requiring ~30 hours per aircraft.
  • B-2 Spirit Flight Costs:
    • Flight Hours: 30 hours per B-2.
    • Operating Cost per Hour: $150,000 (adjusted from 1996 GAO estimate of $9.6 million annually for 64 hours, inflated to 2025).
    • Per B-2 Cost: 30 hours × $150,000 = $4,500,000
    • Total for 2 B-2s: 2 × $4,500,000 = $9,000,000
  • B-52 Stratofortress Flight Costs:
    • Flight Hours: 30 hours per B-52.
    • Operating Cost per Hour: $70,000 (adjusted from 1996 GAO estimate of $6.8 million annually for 97 hours, inflated to 2025).
    • Per B-52 Cost: 30 hours × $70,000 = $2,100,000
    • Total for 2 B-52s: 2 × $2,100,000 = $4,200,000
  • Total Bomber Flight Costs: $9,000,000 + $4,200,000 = $13,200,000
2. Tanker Aircraft Operational Costs
The B-2s and B-52s require multiple aerial refuelings to complete the 14,000-mile round-trip mission. Tanker operations involve KC-135 Stratotankers or KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, which deliver fuel, crew support, and maintenance.
  • B-2 Refueling:
    • Refuelings Needed: Each B-2 requires 5 refuelings (based on 2017 Libya mission data for 33-hour flights).
    • Cost per Refueling: $50,000 (includes fuel, tanker flight hours at ~$20,000/hour for 2 hours, crew, and maintenance, per 2017 estimates adjusted to 2025).
    • Per B-2 Cost: 5 × $50,000 = $250,000
    • Total for 2 B-2s: 2 × $250,000 = $500,000
  • B-52 Refueling:
    • Refuelings Needed: Each B-52 requires 4 refuelings (less fuel-efficient than B-2s, based on historical long-range missions).
    • Cost per Refueling: $50,000.
    • Per B-52 Cost: 4 × $50,000 = $200,000
    • Total for 2 B-52s: 2 × $200,000 = $400,000
  • Total Tanker Costs: $500,000 + $400,000 = $900,000
3. Munitions Costs
The B-2s will deploy GBU-57 MOP bombs to target Fordow, while the B-52s will use Mk 84 bombs for carpet bombing oil fields.
  • GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) for B-2s:
    • Quantity: 4 GBU-57s (2 per B-2, ensuring Fordow’s destruction).
    • Unit Cost: $5,000,000 (conservative midpoint of $3.5–$10 million range, adjusted to 2025).
    • Total Cost: 4 × $5,000,000 = $20,000,000
  • Mk 84 Bombs for B-52s:
    • Quantity: 48 Mk 84s (24 per B-52, for area saturation).
    • Unit Cost: $3,000 (based on procurement data, adjusted to 2025).
    • Total Cost: 48 × $3,000 = $144,000
  • Total Munitions Costs: $20,000,000 + $144,000 = $20,144,000
4. Maintenance Costs (Bombers)
Maintenance costs cover pre- and post-mission servicing, including inspections, repairs, and stealth coating restoration (for B-2s).
  • B-2 Spirit Maintenance:
    • Annual Maintenance Cost: $15,000,000 (1996 GAO estimate of $9.6 million, inflated to 2025).
    • Mission-Specific Cost: 10% of annual cost per mission (due to stealth coating and engine wear).
    • Per B-2 Cost: $15,000,000 × 10% = $1,500,000
    • Total for 2 B-2s: 2 × $1,500,000 = $3,000,000
  • B-52 Stratofortress Maintenance:
    • Annual Maintenance Cost: $10,000,000 (1996 GAO estimate of $6.8 million, inflated to 2025).
    • Mission-Specific Cost: 5% of annual cost per mission.
    • Per B-52 Cost: $10,000,000 × 5% = $500,000
    • Total for 2 B-52s: 2 × $500,000 = $1,000,000
  • Total Maintenance Costs: $3,000,000 + $1,000,000 = $4,000,000
5. Subtotal and 2% Surcharge
The subtotal is the sum of bomber flight, tanker, munitions, and maintenance costs. A 2% surcharge is applied to cover administrative and contingency expenses.
  • Subtotal:
    • Bomber Flight: $13,200,000
    • Tanker Operations: $900,000
    • Munitions: $20,144,000
    • Maintenance: $4,000,000
    • Total Subtotal: $13,200,000 + $900,000 + $20,144,000 + $4,000,000 = $38,244,000
  • 2% Surcharge: $38,244,000 × 0.02 = $764,880
  • Grand Total: $38,244,000 + $764,880 = $39,008,880
Payment Terms
Israel is required to transfer $39,008,880 to the U.S. Treasury prior to mission launch. This covers all operational, munitions, maintenance, tanker, and administrative costs. Payment details will be provided by the U.S. Department of Defense upon agreement.
Strategic Considerations
This operation leverages the B-2’s unparalleled stealth and GBU-57 delivery to destroy Fordow’s deeply buried nuclear facilities, while the B-52’s Mk 84 payload will devastate Iran’s oil fields, crippling its economic foundation. Tanker support ensures mission success over the 14,000-mile journey. The 2% surcharge guarantees efficient allocation of U.S. resources. This mission aligns with Israel’s objectives to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat and economic leverage, reinforcing our ironclad partnership.
Please confirm acceptance of these terms and arrange payment promptly to initiate mission planning. My administration is fully committed to supporting Israel in this decisive action to secure the region and counter Iran’s malign influence.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump