WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of military action against Iran’s nuclear program, the United States has carried out a powerful and highly coordinated strike against three major Iranian nuclear facilities. The Pentagon has confirmed that the overnight mission—codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer—was authorized by President Donald Trump and involved an unprecedented use of U.S. military might, including the first-ever operational deployment of the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bunker-busting bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets.
The coordinated assault began just before midnight Friday, as seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers lifted off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, embarking on an 18-hour flight with minimal communications to maintain secrecy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine announced the details of the strike at a press conference Saturday evening.
“This was a precision operation to neutralize the growing threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and it was executed for the collective self-defense of our forces and our ally, Israel,” Hegseth stated. “It was an overwhelming success.”
According to Gen. Caine, the operation involved over 125 aircraft, including dozens of aerial refueling tankers and escort aircraft, as well as a U.S. Navy guided missile submarine. In total, the strike force launched approximately 75 precision-guided munitions. Among these were more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles, launched by the submarine from within the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, targeting surface infrastructure at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site.
As the bombers neared their targets—Fordo and Natanz, two of Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear enrichment facilities—U.S. forces deployed decoys and executed electronic warfare tactics to evade Iranian defenses. Fourth- and fifth-generation U.S. aircraft spearheaded the strike, sweeping for enemy fighters and neutralizing surface-to-air missile threats.
At approximately 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, two GBU-57 MOPs were dropped on Fordo. In total, 14 of the 30,000-pound bombs were delivered to multiple “aim points” at Fordo and Natanz, resulting in what officials described as “extremely severe damage and destruction.” Shortly after the bombings, the previously launched Tomahawks struck Isfahan, completing the tri-site assault.
“Following weapons release, the Midnight Hammer strike package exited Iranian airspace without incident and began the long return journey home,” said Gen. Caine. “Iran’s fighter aircraft did not engage, and preliminary data suggest their missile defense systems failed to detect our aircraft.”
Caine emphasized that initial battle damage assessments were highly positive but noted that a final evaluation would take time. “All three sites sustained significant structural damage that will severely degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities in the near term,” he said.
Congressional leaders were notified of the operation only after American forces had exited the region. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that bipartisan outreach began once the aircraft were out of danger, although some leaders were contacted beforehand, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was reached after the strikes concluded.
While the Pentagon stressed the operation’s objectives were strictly military and not political in nature, President Trump hinted otherwise in a statement posted Sunday on Truth Social. “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” he wrote, fueling speculation about Washington’s long-term intentions toward Tehran.
Defense Secretary Hegseth reiterated that regime change was not the objective. “This mission was about ensuring our security and that of our allies. It was months in the making—carefully planned, rehearsed, and executed with absolute precision.”
As tensions flare in the Middle East, global attention now shifts to Tehran. Iran has yet to issue an official response, though military analysts are bracing for potential retaliatory actions or cyber operations. U.S. military assets in the region remain on high alert.
Operation Midnight Hammer marks one of the most significant and technologically advanced airstrikes the U.S. has conducted in decades, showcasing a combination of stealth, coordination, and devastating firepower. Whether it leads to a broader conflict—or deters one—remains to be seen.
