On June 22, 2025, the Pentagon detailed a coordinated strike on Iranian nuclear installations, emphasizing the effectiveness of American military capabilities amid ongoing global tensions.
Pentagon Launches Covert Operation Against Iranian Nuclear Program
Pentagon Launches Covert Operation Against Iranian Nuclear Program
U.S. military successfully targets key nuclear sites in Iran during a high-stakes air mission.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a press briefing at the Pentagon on Sunday to announce the results of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a secretive military operation directed at key Iranian nuclear facilities. This ambitious mission involved B-2 stealth bombers, fighter jets, and submarine-launched cruise missiles, targeting sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
While both leaders characterized the operation as a significant advancement, they refrained from confirming whether Iran retained any nuclear weapons potential. Hegseth echoed President Trump's earlier assertion that the nuclear sites had been "obliterated," while General Caine could not provide confirmation, stating that a complete battle damage assessment was still forthcoming. He did indicate, however, that preliminary evaluations showed all three targeted sites had suffered extensive damage.
The operation commenced in the late afternoon, with bombers launching from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, initiating an over 7,000-mile journey that involved several in-flight refuelings. Between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, the stealth bombers successfully engaged the heavily defended Fordo nuclear site and other facilities at Natanz, showcasing the striking power of U.S. air forces.
As global reactions to the operation unfold, officials and analysts are keeping a close watch on its implications for regional stability and international diplomatic relations regarding nuclear proliferation.
While both leaders characterized the operation as a significant advancement, they refrained from confirming whether Iran retained any nuclear weapons potential. Hegseth echoed President Trump's earlier assertion that the nuclear sites had been "obliterated," while General Caine could not provide confirmation, stating that a complete battle damage assessment was still forthcoming. He did indicate, however, that preliminary evaluations showed all three targeted sites had suffered extensive damage.
The operation commenced in the late afternoon, with bombers launching from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, initiating an over 7,000-mile journey that involved several in-flight refuelings. Between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, the stealth bombers successfully engaged the heavily defended Fordo nuclear site and other facilities at Natanz, showcasing the striking power of U.S. air forces.
As global reactions to the operation unfold, officials and analysts are keeping a close watch on its implications for regional stability and international diplomatic relations regarding nuclear proliferation.
