How the US Bombarded Iran Nuclear Sites: Full Breakdown of Operation Midnight Hammer

How the US Bombarded Iran Nuclear Sites in Historic Precision

How the US bombarded Iran nuclear sites centers around Operation Midnight Hammer, a meticulously planned U.S. military operation executed on June 22, 2025. Using stealth bombers, submarine-launched missiles, and deception tactics, the U.S. struck the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities deep underground. Here’s a full breakdown—including bomb types, flight paths, refueling routes, decoys, and navigation behind enemy lines.

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1. Mission Overview & Strategic Objectives

Named Operation Midnight Hammer, the mission aimed to halt Iran’s uranium enrichment capability, targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with precision bunker-busting and cruise missiles. It marked the first time U.S. forces directly bombarded Iranian nuclear infrastructure

2. Air Component: B‑2 Spirits from Missouri

• Launch Base: Seven B‑2 bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing took off from Whiteman AFB, Missouri, beginning a 37‑hour nonstop mission
• Decoy Flights: Eight decoy bombers flew west over the Pacific to mislead adversaries, while the actual seven B‑2s flew east toward Iran .
• In‑Air Refueling: The bombers were refueled multiple times mid‑air using tanker aircraft en route
• Escort & SEAD: A force of ~118 fighter jets and support planes (ISR, EW) accompanied the bombers, conducting suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) to neutralize Iran’s SAM systems .

3. Munitions & Targets

• GBU‑57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs):
  • 12 MOPs dropped on Fordow, each capable of penetrating ~60 m of earth/concrete
  • 2 MOPs struck Natanz
• Tomahawk Cruise Missiles:
  • A U.S. submarine (likely USS Georgia) launched 30 Tomahawks, targeting Natanz and Isfahan
• Total Weapons Deployed: ~75 precision weapons, including MOPs and Tomahawks

4. Route & Navigation

1. Take‑off & Decoys:
   • All B‑2s launched nearly simultaneously. Decoys flew west, while seven stealth bombers headed east across North America, the Atlantic, Europe, and the Middle East
2. En‑route Refueling:
   • Tankers based in Europe, the Mediterranean, and East Africa refueled the bombers multiple times .
3. Approach to Iran:
   • SEAD aircraft entered Iranian airspace first to disrupt radar/defenses. Then, B‑2s released MOPs over Fordow and Natanz around 2:10–2:35 a.m. local time
4. Tomahawk Launch:
   • Simultaneous launch from regional waters further south added another layer of precision
5. Exit:
   • Bombers and fighters exited westward; no U.S. aircraft were detected or engaged

5. Technical Challenges & Enemy Defenses

• Target Depth: Fordow lies 80–90 m underground, heavily fortified
• Guide‑star Accuracy vs. GPS Jamming: MOP performance under electronic countermeasures remained a test
• Air Defenses: Iran’s SAM systems were likely degraded by prior Israeli strikes

6. Results & Aftermath

• Damage: Pentagon described “severe damage” to all three sites; satellite images show impact craters and ash at Fordow .
• Iran’s Response: No radiation detected; local authorities claim evacuation of nuclear material beforehand
• Global Reaction: Russia called the strikes a “Pandora’s box”; UN appealed for restraint

7. Strategic Implications

• Military Reach: Demonstrated U.S. global strike capabilities and underlined deterrence .
• Escalation Risk: Possible widening of conflict; Iran vows retaliation, may threaten Strait of Hormuz
• Diplomatic Pressure: Aimed to force Iran’s return to nuclear negotiations; some leaders urge diplomatic resolution

Read Also: U.S. Joins War, Destroys Iran’s Nuclear Sites — “Fordow is Gone”

How the US Bombarded Iran Nuclear Sites With Precision and Strategy

How the US bombarded Iran nuclear sites demonstrates an unprecedented demonstration of U.S. military precision: stealth bombers traveling 37 hours, heavy bunker‑buster bombs, long‑range Tomahawks, SEAD escorts, and deception all synchronized in a single strike. Whether it halts Iran’s nuclear ambitions long-term remains uncertain — but in tactical terms, this operation showcased resolute power, meticulous planning, and a high-stakes gamble in global geopolitics.