Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Announce ‘Highly Successful’ U.S. Strikes on Three Iranian Nuclear Facilities
In a bold and historic operation, U.S. Central Command, under President Donald J. Trump’s orders, executed precision strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan—late Friday night, severely degrading Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The operation, dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” was described as an “overwhelming success” by Defense Secretary Hegset and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Eric Carrilla during a Sunday morning briefing.
The strikes, which involved the first operational use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), were meticulously planned to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities while avoiding civilian and military casualties. President Trump’s directive was clear: Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. This operation, the culmination of months of preparation, showcased the unmatched precision and power of the U.S. military, with no other nation capable of executing such a complex mission.
Operation Midnight Hammer: A Strategic Masterstroke
The operation began at midnight, Friday into Saturday, with seven B-2 Spirit bombers launching from the continental United States. To maintain tactical surprise, a decoy package flew west into the Pacific, known only to a select group of planners in Washington and Tampa. The main strike package, comprising B-2s with minimal communications, flew east for an 18-hour journey, supported by multiple in-flight refuelings. Escorted by fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, the bombers entered Iranian airspace undetected, employing deception tactics, including decoys, to evade enemy defenses.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, a U.S. submarine in the Central Command region launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting surface infrastructure at Esfahan. As the B-2s approached Fordo and Natanz, fighter escorts used preemptive suppression weapons to neutralize potential surface-to-air missile threats. At 6:40 p.m. EST (2:10 a.m. Iran time), the lead B-2 dropped two 30,000-pound MOPs on Fordo, followed by 12 additional MOPs across the three sites. By 7:05 p.m. EST, all targets were struck, with initial assessments indicating “extremely severe damage and destruction.”
The operation involved 75 precision-guided munitions, 125 aircraft, including B-2s, fighters, tankers, and ISR platforms, and a guided-missile submarine. Notably, Iran’s air defenses did not detect or engage the U.S. forces, marking the mission as the longest B-2 operation since 2001 and a historic demonstration of U.S. stealth and precision.
Trump’s Vision: Peace Through Strength
President Trump’s leadership was central to the operation’s success. For over a decade, he has maintained that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. After giving Iran 60 days to negotiate and cease enrichment—a deadline met with resistance—Trump authorized the strikes to eliminate the threat. “When this president speaks, the world should listen,” Secretary Hegset stated, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to peace through strength. The President’s Truth Social post warned Iran of “force far greater” if it retaliated, underscoring U.S. resolve.
The operation was not aimed at regime change or Iranian civilians but focused solely on nuclear infrastructure. Secretary Hegset praised the professionalism of U.S. forces, including pilots, sailors, and soldiers, and acknowledged Israel’s role in degrading Iran’s missile capabilities in prior operations. While Israel was not directly involved in the strikes, close coordination ensured the mission’s success.
Global Implications and Future Steps
Initial battle damage assessments suggest significant destruction, particularly at Fordo, though final evaluations are ongoing. General Carrilla emphasized elevated force protection measures across Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf, with U.S. forces on high alert for potential Iranian or proxy retaliation. Congressional leaders were notified post-strike, in compliance with the War Powers Act, after the aircraft safely exited Iranian airspace.
Addressing concerns about broader conflict, Secretary Hegset reiterated
