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In what military officials are calling the largest operational B-2 bomber strike in U.S. history, the Pentagon on Sunday released new details about Operation Midnight Hammer, a coordinated American assault on three Iranian nuclear facilities that President Donald Trump said were “completely and totally obliterated.”
The operation, which took place Saturday evening U.S. time, marks the first direct U.S. military attack on Iran and a major escalation in the decades-long confrontation between the two nations.
‘Extremely Severe Damage’
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed in a televised Pentagon briefing that 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) — 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs — were dropped on facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran’s most fortified nuclear research and enrichment centers.
“Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Caine said, adding that full intelligence analysis is ongoing.
The Fordo facility, buried under nearly 300 feet of rock, was hit by at least two MOPs dropped by a B-2 Spirit bomber. Natanz and Isfahan were similarly targeted, with precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a U.S. submarine timed to arrive shortly after the bombing runs.
Operation Midnight Hammer: How It Unfolded
Caine detailed a highly secretive, tightly choreographed assault that involved seven B-2 bombers flying from Missouri to Iran in an 18-hour round-trip mission, supported by more than 125 aircraft, including fighter escorts, refueling tankers, and surveillance planes.
“The element of surprise was retained throughout the operation,” Caine said. “We are unaware of any Iranian missile launches or fighter activity during the strike.”
The operation began at 5 p.m. ET Saturday, with Tomahawk missiles softening Isfahan as the B-2s entered Iranian airspace. By 6:40 p.m. ET, the first MOPs had struck Fordo, followed by rapid successive strikes on Natanz and Isfahan over the next 25 minutes.
No Casualties Reported — Yet
Officials emphasized that the strikes targeted infrastructure, not personnel, and no civilian or military casualties have yet been confirmed.
“This mission was designed to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities — not to punish its people,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “The president made clear: avoid civilian harm.”
Still, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Sunday of “everlasting consequences”, as Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel within hours of the U.S. operation. The U.S. remains on high alert for retaliatory actions across the region.
Trump Declares ‘Spectacular Military Success’
Speaking at the White House Saturday night, President Trump, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Hegseth, described the strikes as “spectacular” and warned Tehran against further escalation.
“There’s no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight,” Trump said. “And if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets — and most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”
The president added that the strikes sent a clear message: “American deterrence is back.”
Unprecedented Use of B-2 Bombers
The B-2 Spirit bomber — capable of penetrating advanced air defenses — played a central role. This was its longest operational mission since 2001 and marked the first-ever combat use of the GBU-57 MOP.
“This mission sets a new standard for U.S. strategic air power,” said Caine. “This was a strike designed for one purpose: to send a message that the U.S. will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.”
The White House has not disclosed whether ground verification of the strike’s effectiveness is underway, but intelligence analysts say it will take days or weeks to determine whether Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been fully derailed.
What’s Next?
The operation thrusts the Middle East into a dangerous new phase of instability, with Iran threatening further strikes and experts warning of a potential regional war.
“We will defend ourselves,” Caine warned. “But any retaliation from Iran or its proxies will be met with a swift and decisive response.”
While the Pentagon says no American aircraft were hit, global markets and allies are bracing for Iran’s response, which may come through direct strikes or asymmetric proxy attacks.
Iran’s options are narrowing, experts say, but its ability to retaliate — especially via non-state actors — remains significant.
With tensions now higher than at any point since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the next 48 hours could determine the course of U.S.-Iranian relations for years to come.
