The MPR-500 was developed and designed by IMI (Israel Military Industries). The MPR-500 Israel last week unveiled an improved precision, bunker-burrowing weapon, the latest in a series of operational upgrades aimed at honing what one official here labeled “a very credible military option” against the Iranian nuclear threat.

MPR-500 is certified to all guidance systems, laser, electro-optic and JDAM/L-JDAM kits. Employing IMI's optimized fragmentation technology, MPR-500 can also be used effectively as an unguided general purpose weapon. MPR-500 penetrates straight through four multi-level floors and double reinforced concrete walls, or over 1 meter of monolithic double reinforced concrete target. The system is operational and in production.

In a world where nuclear weapons could soon be in the hands of a rogue nation like Iran, an Israeli preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be fully justified. Despite its ban on aggressive war, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter clearly recognizes a state’s inherent right of self-defense. Thus, Israel has full authority to act unilaterally or collectively in its self-defense.

Article 51 allows Israel to use aggressive force against Iran’s nuclear program if an “armed attack” occurs. Its plain language is satisfied when one state has used armed force to attack another state. Under customary international law, a preemptive strike is also permitted when an armed attack is imminent.