Operation Midnight Hammer:The United States executed a surprise bombing operation on three of Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, under a top-secret mission dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the mission on Sunday, calling it a “devastating blow” to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Hegseth clarified that the US strikes were precise and avoided targeting Iranian military personnel or civilians. “We do not seek war,” he emphasized, signaling a strategic strike focused solely on crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Hegseth explained that B-2 bombers from Missouri were intentionally moved as decoys to mislead Iranian air defences, while the actual strike team used deception tactics and minimal communication to ensure surprise.

What Is Operation Midnight Hammer?

At midnight Friday into Saturday, a fleet of seven B-2 bombers with two crew members each launched from the continental United States. Some aircraft acted as decoys and moved westward into the Pacific to confuse Iranian surveillance. The real strike package quietly advanced eastward, undergoing several in-flight refuellings during the 18-hour journey.

As they neared Iran, the bombers were joined by escort and support aircraft in a tightly coordinated manoeuvre conducted with minimal radio communication. Just before entering Iranian airspace, a US submarine in the region fired over two dozen Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan to weaken surface infrastructure.

High-Speed Execution And Target Destruction

As the strike force entered Iran, it employed high-altitude, high-speed aircraft to sweep ahead of the bombers. Suppression weapons neutralised potential threats from surface-to-air missile systems. At 6:40 PM EST, lead B-2 bombers dropped two GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on Fordow, followed by coordinated strikes on Natanz and Isfahan by 7:05 PM EST.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, noted that Operation Midnight Hammer was one of the most classified missions in recent years, with only a handful of senior officials aware of the exact timing and execution plan.

Global Fallout And Russian Condemnation

The Russian Foreign Ministry harshly criticised the operation, labelling it a violation of international law and UN Charter. “The irresponsible decision to bomb the territory of a sovereign state...grossly violates the UN Charter,” Moscow stated. The Ministry condemned the fact that a permanent UN Security Council member carried out the strike.

US President Donald Trump hailed the attack as a “complete and total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Israeli Defence Forces Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin described the joint mission as a turning point. “Now Iran is feeling the cost of its aggression on its own soil,” he said.