Yesterday, U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, under orders from President Donald Trump, executed a strike on Iran’s three main nuclear facilities, located in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. As hours have passed since the bombing, the Pentagon has released further general details of Operation Midnight Hammer, which, in addition to USAF aircraft, included attacks launched from the sea by U.S. Navy nuclear-powered destroyers and submarines.
B-2 Stealth Bombers
Undoubtedly the central actors in the operation, B-2 bombers penetrated Iranian airspace to strike the nuclear facilities with devastating force. According to a recent press briefing, it was confirmed that seven (7) B-2 Spirits dropped a total of fourteen GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs on targets selected by military intelligence.
The use of such weapons is significant, as the GBU-57 is one of the most powerful non-nuclear bombs in service with the U.S. Air Force, specifically designed to destroy heavily fortified underground targets such as bunkers.
Since the start of Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s air campaign against Iran, the Israeli government had been requesting the transfer of such weapons from the U.S. to help neutralize Iran’s nuclear program. However, the Israeli Air Force currently lacks a platform capable of safely and effectively deploying the GBU-57, which is only operable by the B-2 stealth bomber.
Additional Details of Operation Midnight Hammer
While most attention has focused on the bomber strikes, the Pentagon emphasized that this operation required a coordinated and extensive deployment of assets and capabilities, including diversionary measures, aerial refueling, electronic warfare, and the suppression of enemy air defenses—just some of the military tools activated by the U.S. operational commands.
Before the operation, as reported by various OSINT sources, strategic bombers were deployed in the Pacific. The recent press conference confirmed this move was a strategic diversion to draw global and Iranian attention to that region, while a detachment of B-2 bombers was prepared at Whiteman Air Force Base in the continental U.S., which would then execute the actual strike after crossing the Atlantic.
This seven-aircraft B-2 detachment, each with two-person crews and minimal communications, began its mission with an 18-hour first leg to reach the target area, conducting multiple aerial refuelings en route—presumably with KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft.
Over mainland Europe, the bombers linked up with fighter jets that served as escorts and support, likely including airborne early warning and control aircraft, signal intelligence, and electronic warfare platforms.
U.S. Navy Begins Strikes on Iran
Prior to the B-2s arriving in Iranian airspace, and at approximately 5:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time, nuclear-powered submarines operating under U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility launched more than two dozen Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) against key targets in Esfahan.
B-2 Escort
Simultaneously with the U.S. Navy’s strike, fourth- and fifth-generation fighters deployed ahead of the stealth bombers launched decoys and other unspecified countermeasures. Confirmed reports also indicate that suppression missions targeted Iranian air defenses that could have posed a threat to the bomber formation.
The B-2 Strike
At approximately 6:40 PM U.S. Eastern Time—early morning in Iran—the lead B-2 bomber attacked the Fordow nuclear facility, releasing two GBU-57 MOPs. The remaining aircraft struck other sites, bringing the total number of bombs dropped to fourteen.
All three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—were struck between 6:40 and 7:05 PM Eastern Time, around 2:00 AM local time in Iran. During this same timeframe, Tomahawk missiles launched an additional wave on Esfahan.
After the attack, the B-2 bomber formation exited Iranian airspace without incident. The Pentagon reported that there was no response from Iranian Air Force fighters, nor any detection or engagement by Iranian air defense systems. This is a key point, as over a week of Israeli air raids has severely degraded Iran’s air defense and surveillance capabilities.
Cover photo used for illustrative purposes only.
You may also be interested in: Over 10 Years After Delivering the Last Aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, Boeing Considers Restarting Production of the C-17 Globemaster III
