Operation Midnight Hammer: U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites

On 22 June 2025, U.S. military forces launched a coordinated strike known as Operation Midnight Hammer against three Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan during the broader Iran–Israel war. The operation involved seven U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers departing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flying an extended mission with mid-air refueling before reaching Iranian airspace. These bombers carried GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-busting bombs, which were used in combat for the first time. In total, 14 MOP bombs were dropped on key facilities, with a substantial portion targeting the deeply buried Fordow and Natanz sites. In addition to the B-2 strikes, U.S. Navy forces fired Tomahawk cruise missiles from a submarine against infrastructure at the Isfahan site. Escorts of advanced fighter aircraft, reported to include F-22 and F-35 jets, preceded the main bomber force to help suppress or deceive Iranian air defenses. Damage, Assessments, and Regional Aftermath: U.S. officials described the attacks as a precision strike that inflicted severe damage on all three nuclear sites. Some Pentagon assessments suggested that Iran’s nuclear program could be delayed or degraded as a result. However, subsequent intelligence and independent reporting indicated differing views on the extent of the impact: some assessments reported that only one site (Fordow) was significantly destroyed with others damaged to varying degrees. Iran condemned the strikes and vowed retaliation. There were reports of Iranian counter-attacks, including missile strikes on U.S. positions in the region following the June strikes. The International Atomic Energy Agency has sought access to the damaged nuclear facilities for inspection, with mixed levels of site access being granted. Weapons and Tactics: The MOP (GBU-57/B) used in the operation is a 30,000-pound precision bunker-busting bomb designed to penetrate deeply buried and fortified structures, and was carried exclusively by B-2 bombers, making this its first operational use in combat.