Operation Midnight Hammer: U.S. Bombing of Iranian Nuclear Sites
On June 21, 2025, the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a precision strike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Authorized by President Donald Trump, the operation aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons program, aligning with Israel’s security concerns. It involved 13 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, over 125 aircraft, and a U.S. submarine, marking the largest B-2 strike in history.
The operation began with a deception tactic: six B-2s flew toward Guam, misleading observers, while seven others crossed the Atlantic undetected. After an 18-hour, 7,000-mile flight, the bombers, supported by fighters, tankers, and ISR aircraft, entered Iranian airspace. At 6:40 p.m. ET, B-2s dropped 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—30,000-pound bunker-busters—on Fordo and Natanz, targeting deeply buried enrichment facilities. A submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan’s surface infrastructure. Electronic decoys and suppression weapons neutralized Iranian defenses, with no shots fired at U.S. aircraft.
U.S. officials claimed “severe damage,” with Trump asserting the sites were “totally obliterated.” Satellite imagery showed craters at Fordo, new damage at Natanz, and extensive destruction at Isfahan, but Iran’s prior evacuation and uranium transfer limited strategic impact. The IAEA reported no radiation spikes, and Iran downplayed losses. The strikes, using 75 precision weapons, showcased U.S. stealth, multi-domain coordination, and the MOP’s first combat use.
Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles on Israel, injuring 16, and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. placed 40,000 regional troops on alert. While tactically successful, the operation’s long-term effect on Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains uncertain, with analysts questioning Fordo’s destruction due to its fortified design.