A New Chapter of Covert Warfare: Inside the U.S. Mission Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites
In a bold and unprecedented military endeavor, the United States executed one of its largest and most intricate air campaigns in recent history, striking deep within Iran to neutralize three critical nuclear facilities.
The operation, later revealed as “Operation Midnight Hammer”, has been lauded by American military leaders as a feat of precision, stealth, and meticulous planning — reshaping the rules of engagement in modern warfare.
The Moment the World Held Its Breath
The first wave of the air assault was launched late Saturday evening, Eastern Time, roughly aligning with the early morning hours in Iran. According to Pentagon sources, the campaign began at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. local time in Iran) and extended until roughly 7:05 p.m. ET (2:35 a.m. in Iran), with a final barrage of precision strikes that left three highly fortified nuclear installations — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — reduced to rubble.
In a nationally broadcast statement and a post to Truth Social, President Donald Trump announced the successful completion of the mission, referring to it as a “major military victory” and stating that Iran’s key enrichment sites had been “completely and utterly obliterated”.
An Exercise in Deception and Precision
According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the mission was a textbook example of strategic ingenuity. “Our stealth bombers entered and exited Iranian airspace undetected — a feat that will be remembered for generations,” he announced.
Yet despite these claims, social media was quickly flooded with images and videos of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers captured by watchful civilians. The paradox sparked questions about the true nature of stealth and the vulnerability of such aircraft in the era of mobile phones and global connectivity.
The Anatomy of “Operation Midnight Hammer”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine offered a detailed breakdown of the campaign, calling it one of the “most sophisticated and coordinated military efforts” ever conducted:
Feints and Distractions: To mislead Iranian air defenses, a group of stealth bombers departed from the United States and initially flew west across the Pacific, drawing attention and diverting reconnaissance efforts.
A Complex Aerial Dance: Meanwhile, another wave of stealth bombers flew a long route across neutral airspace before entering Iran. Multiple midair refueling operations ensured the planes had enough range for the mission.
Tomahawk Missiles and Decoys: Just before entering enemy airspace, a U.S. Navy submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at critical infrastructure near Isfahan. The explosions acted both as a tactical decoy and as precision strikes that weakened Iran’s surface-to-air defenses.
Bunker Busters and Final Strikes: The B-2 Spirit bombers then dropped massive GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs — weighing 30,000 pounds each — on hardened nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz. In total, 14 of these precision weapons were used, ensuring the sites were neutralized.
A Mission Without Resistance
General Caine emphasized that despite its complexity, the mission was conducted with remarkable efficiency and precision. Not a single U.S. aircraft came under fire throughout the campaign, a testament to the planning and execution of one of the most challenging air missions ever conducted.
Additional assets, including fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, and refueling tankers, operated in concert with the stealth bombers, creating a seamless and highly coordinated attack.
The Fallout: Diplomatic Outrage and a New Balance of Power
While Trump announced the mission as a victory for the United States and a warning to its adversaries, Iran responded with sharp condemnation. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called the attack “a grave and reckless breach of international law”, warning that it would have “far-reaching and long-lasting repercussions” for regional stability.
The United Nations, NATO, and global powers have expressed deep concern over the escalation, with many urging both nations to exercise restraint. The precision airstrikes have reshaped the Middle Eastern balance of power, but the long-term consequences — for global security and diplomacy — remain uncertain.
The Road Ahead
Operation Midnight Hammer will be remembered as a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations, a reminder that in an age of advanced military technology, precision and stealth can redefine the boundaries of war. Yet for all its operational success, this bold move has intensified tensions across the Middle East, raising urgent questions about the future of global security.
As the world grapples with the aftermath, one thing is certain: the line between peace and war has never felt more fragile.