Involving over 125 US aircraft
Pentagon, Washington, D.C. – June 22, 2025: In an extraordinary press briefing held this morning at the Pentagon, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine, provided detailed insights into a covert and highly coordinated military operation conducted by the US military against critical nuclear sites across Iran on June 21, 2025.
The mission, Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’, saw the United States conduct precision airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, effectively crippling Tehran’s nuclear weapons infrastructure. This follows US President Donald J. Trump’s overnight declaration that the US had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The operation marks the most significant escalation in the long-standing tension between Washington and Tehran in years.
Standing before a packed press room accompanied by General Dan Caine, Hegseth opened with a tone of solemnity and resolve.
“Last night [June 21, 2025], on President Trump’s orders,” Hegseth began, “US Central Command conducted a precision strike against three nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear programme.”
He stressed that the mission was carried out with the utmost care to avoid casualties among Iranian civilians or troops, describing the effort as “a demonstration of surgical precision and overwhelming force”.
Watch the video of the Pentagon news briefing here:
Hegseth framed the operation within the doctrine of deterrence long advocated by the Trump administration: “President Trump has stated for over a decade that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon. Thanks to his bold and visionary leadership, Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.”
Lauding the coordination and bravery of US service members and their allies, particularly Israel, Hegseth said the mission had been months in the making and represented the highest levels of operational secrecy and misdirection.
He concluded by reading a direct message from President Trump: “Any retaliation by Iran will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
Operational overview
General Dan Caine followed, delivering a comprehensive breakdown of Operation Midnight Hammer, which he described as “the largest B2 operational strike in US history and the first use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) in combat.”
According to Caine, seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers departed from the continental United States under strict radio silence. While part of the strike package flew west into the Pacific as a decoy, the real attack force flew east, coordinating with support aircraft including fighters, refuelers, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) platforms.
Caine highlighted a crucial phase of the operation in which a US submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting surface infrastructure in Esfahan just minutes before the main air strike began.
“Coordination across multiple commands—strategic, transportation, cyber, space, and European—was seamless,” he said, noting that deception tactics such as decoy aircraft and minimal communications helped retain the element of surprise.
Between 6:40pm and 7:05pm EST, 14 GBU-57 MOPs were deployed against fortified targets. Caine confirmed no shots were fired at US assets on ingress or egress, indicating a total tactical surprise.
“Initial battle damage assessments show all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Caine reported, while cautioning that complete assessments are still pending.
Historic mission
With over 125 US military aircraft participating—including stealth bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling tankers, submarines, and cyber assets—Operation Midnight Hammer stands as one of the most ambitious and surgically executed military operations in modern history.
Officials emphasised that the strike was not a prelude to war but a definitive measure to eliminate a looming threat. The first operational use of the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator, delivered with pinpoint accuracy, underscores a new threshold in US military capability.
While final damage assessments are pending, the strategic impact is already rippling across diplomatic circles worldwide. Allies in Europe and the Middle East have expressed support, while Iranian state media have thus far remained silent on the extent of the damage.
Hegseth concluded the briefing by reiterating America’s preference for peace but warned Iran against testing US resolve.
“We do not seek war. But we will defend our people, our interests, and our allies. The ball is in Iran’s court.”
Hero image: (L-R) US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine, address the news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025. Screengrab: Middle East News 247
