Operation Midnight Hammer: How U.S. B-2 Stealth Bombers Obliterated Iran’s Nuclear Sites Undetected"

In a stunning display of military precision and secrecy, the United States executed a covert airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, on June 22, 2025. Seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flew undetected into Iranian airspace, delivering a devastating blow to three key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The operation, described as a “resounding tactical success,” caught Iran’s defenses completely off guard, with no radar detection, no fighter jets scrambled, and no shots fired at the U.S. aircraft.

(Photo Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

A Masterclass in Deception and Stealth

The mission’s success hinged on a meticulously crafted deception plan. While seven B-2 bombers took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and flew east toward Iran, another group of B-2s headed west toward a U.S. base in the Pacific, acting as decoys to divert attention from media, government officials, and amateur plane spotters. The real strike force maintained near-total radio silence, communicating minimally to avoid detection during their 18-hour flight, which required multiple mid-air refuelings.

As the B-2s approached Iranian airspace, a U.S. submarine in the Central Command area launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting infrastructure at Isfahan. U.S. fighter jets, acting as escorts, swept the skies ahead for potential threats, while additional deception tactics, including decoys, ensured the bombers remained invisible to Iran’s air defenses. The Pentagon reported that Iran’s fighter jets never took off, and its surface-to-air missile systems failed to detect the incoming strike.

Devastating Firepower: Bunker-Buster Bombs

The B-2 bombers unleashed 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), each weighing 30,000 pounds and capable of penetrating over 60 feet of concrete. These “bunker-buster” bombs targeted deeply buried facilities, particularly Fordow, considered the heart of Iran’s nuclear program. In total, the operation involved 75 precision-guided munitions, including the MOPs and Tomahawk missiles, delivering a combined payload of 420,000 pounds of explosives.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hailed the strikes as an “incredible and overwhelming success,” claiming they “devastated the Iranian nuclear program.” General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the mission “flawless,” noting that “no other military in the world could have done this.” Initial Pentagon assessments indicated severe damage to all three targeted sites, though officials acknowledged that a full evaluation was ongoing.

Iran’s Response and Regional Tensions

Iran denied significant damage to its nuclear facilities, with both Iranian officials and the U.N. nuclear watchdog reporting no immediate signs of radioactive contamination. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. for crossing “a big red line” and vowed retaliation, though he remained vague on specifics. Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Khamenei, promised “punishment” for the strikes, raising fears of escalation in an already volatile region.

The strikes followed nine days of Israeli attacks that had weakened Iran’s military leadership and air defenses, suggesting a coordinated U.S.-Israel effort, though the Pentagon did not officially confirm this. President Donald Trump, announcing the strikes via social media, claimed Iran’s nuclear program was “completely and totally obliterated,” though senior officials later admitted uncertainty about the fate of Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile.

A Historic Mission

Operation Midnight Hammer involved over 125 U.S. aircraft, including B-2 bombers, fighter jets, refueling tankers, and surveillance planes, making it the largest operational B-2 strike in U.S. history and the second-longest B-2 mission ever, surpassed only by post-9/11 operations. The 36-hour round-trip flight underscored the B-2’s long-range capabilities, with each bomber equipped with amenities like microwaves and toilets to sustain crews during the grueling journey.

The operation’s secrecy was so tightly guarded that many senior U.S. officials and lawmakers were unaware of the plan until Trump’s social media post late Saturday night. Hegseth emphasized that the strikes were not aimed at regime change, and the U.S. was communicating with Iran through multiple channels to pursue a peace settlement.

Global Reactions and Uncertainty

The strikes sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices rising and U.S. stock futures sliding. Posts on X reflected mixed sentiment, with some praising the operation’s precision and others expressing concern over potential retaliation. The international community, including Pakistan and the U.N. Security Council, voiced alarm over the escalation, while Iranian citizens expressed fear and anger, with one telling BBC Persian, “We are constantly caught by surprise.”

As the world awaits Iran’s response and further assessments of the damage, Operation Midnight Hammer stands as a testament to U.S. military prowess and strategic deception. Whether it will achieve its goal of crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions or ignite a broader conflict remains uncertain.