Details of a top-secret mission known as Operation Midnight Hammer, in which American stealth aircraft executed precise strikes on Iran’s subterranean nuclear facilities, have been acknowledged by the United States.
In a mission that lasted around 30 hours, seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers took out from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the Air Force said. The 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, which are intended to demolish deeply underground structures, were delivered by the aircraft for the first time in combat.
Strict secrecy enveloped every stage of planning and execution, and almost 4,000 personnel—from maintenance crews to medics—supported the operation. Some of the sixteen B-2s that were deployed served as decoys to divert detection systems. Pilots had to rotate to manage fatigue throughout the lengthy flight, and multiple refueling procedures were necessary mid-flight.
The bombers dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on important nuclear sites, including as Fordow and Natanz, after entering Iranian airspace. According to officials, all targets were hit effectively, and the attacks severely damaged key infrastructure for Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
The mission was deemed “flawless” by commanders, who also pointed out that its intricacy put every facet of American air power to the test. Already, the strikes are being acknowledged as one of the most ambitious missions in the B-2 program’s history.
According to military analysts, the attack will send a strong message of American resolve in the region and considerably delay Iran’s nuclear timeline. The accomplishment of Operation Midnight Hammer shows the Air Force the breadth and accuracy of U.S. strategic capabilities in addressing new threats around the world.