U.S. Conducts Major Airstrike on Iranian Nuclear Sites

In a historic operation named “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the United States launched its most extensive attack involving B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, including their longest flight since 2001. The strike targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The operation saw the first combat use of the powerful GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, with 14 of these 15-ton weapons dropped on Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites. The assault was meticulously coordinated, beginning around 6:40 p.m. ET, with a B-2 dropping two GBU-57 bombs on Fordow. Subsequent aircraft contributed to the attack, targeting multiple points within the nuclear facilities.

In addition, a U.S. submarine fired over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Persian Gulf, striking surface infrastructure at Isfahan and other key targets. The entire series of strikes took approximately 25 minutes, with the main assault lasting only a quarter-hour. The operation was planned to maintain the element of surprise, with in-flight refuelings and complex maneuvers allowing stealth passage over Iranian airspace.

U.S. military officials confirmed that Iranian fighters and surface-to-air missile systems did not engage or escalate during the attack, indicating successful surprise tactics. Deception methods, including decoy aircraft, were employed to safeguard the operation, which required precise coordination among various platforms.

The mission also involved additional support measures, such as high-speed suppression weaponry to mitigate threats and preemptive fires against enemy defenses. The operation marked the second-longest B-2 mission ever flown, surpassed only by post-9/11 efforts.

Pre-mission, U.S. forces moved fighter jets from Europe to the Middle East to bolster defenses. Despite the intensity of the attacks, Iran has threatened retaliation, prompting the U.S. military to remain in a heightened state of alert across the region, including Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf.

Overall, this operation demonstrated a significant escalation in the U.S. strategy against Iran’s nuclear ambitions while underscoring America’s advanced military capabilities and readiness to respond to potential retaliatory actions.