U.S. Bombing of Iran Began with a Deception

On June 22, U.S. military forces launched a secret operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer” targeting three major Iranian nuclear facilities. The mission involved B-2 stealth bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and hundreds of military aircraft. According to the Pentagon, this was the largest combat strike ever involving B-2 bombers.

U.S. officials stated the operation began with a decoy maneuver. B-2s departing from a base in Missouri were publicly seen heading toward Guam, interpreted by analysts as preparation for a possible conflict. However, this was a diversion — the real group of seven B-2s flew eastward, communicating minimally and refueling mid-air during an 18-hour flight toward Iranian airspace.

As they approached their targets, a U.S. submarine launched over 20 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Simultaneously, the B-2s dropped 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, each weighing approximately 30,000 pounds (13,600 kg). The Pentagon reported that over 125 aircraft participated in the mission.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the strike as a complete tactical success. “Iran’s air force never took off, and their air defense systems failed to detect us. We maintained full surprise,” he told reporters at a Pentagon briefing.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised the strike's impact: “We dealt a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear program. There is no doubt about that.”

The operation was conducted under extreme secrecy, with many top officials in Washington learning about it only after President Donald Trump posted about it on social media. According to Hegseth, while preparations took months, the actual mission came together in just a few weeks.

Following the strike, Gulf nations raised their military alert levels. The U.S. reinforced its forces in the region and increased security at its bases.

The future of the situation remains uncertain. While U.S. officials stress they are not seeking a broader conflict, they also warned of readiness to respond to any Iranian retaliation.

“Iran should take this seriously. President Trump has said it before — and he means it now more than ever,” Hegseth warned. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!