U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers and Bunker Busters in Massive Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
Story by GeokHub2 min read
U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers and Bunker Busters in Massive Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
In a dramatic escalation of U.S. military operations, the Pentagon deployed seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and more than 125 aircraft in a daring airstrike—dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer—against Iran's underground nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, according to U.S. officials .
The B-2s, flying stealthily from Whiteman Air Force Base, dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs—the U.S.'s largest non-nuclear bunker busters—deeply buried beneath thick rock and concrete at Fordow and Natanz. Additionally, a U.S. submarine launched over 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Natanz and Isfahan.
Satellite imagery released by Maxar revealed large craters and collapsed tunnels at Fordow following the “spectacular military success,” as President Trump described it.
How the strike unfolded: U.S. forces employed deceptive tactics—the bombers initially appeared to head west toward Guam before turning east, enforcing radio silence and using fighter jets and decoys to neutralize air defenses. The carefully timed strikes began between 6:40 and 7:05 p.m. ET .
In the White House, President Trump declared the targets "completely and totally obliterated" and asserted that the operation demonstrated U.S. resolve, paired with an offer of peace should Iran cease its nuclear ambitions.
Iran responded fiercely, condemning the assault as "criminal aggression" and placing missile forces and allied proxies across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen on high alert. Tehran warned of “severe and irreversible” retaliation .
Internationally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate de-escalation, citing the threat of broader regional conflict. Russia and China condemned the strikes as destabilizing, while Israel praised the action, calling it a critical blow to Iran’s nuclear threat.
Economic and security consequences were swift: Brent crude jumped above $100 per barrel, gold surged, airlines rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace, and Western governments issued travel alerts for the Gulf region .
Political reactions in the U.S. were split. The Republican Party applauded the president’s decisive action. Democrats raised constitutional and escalation concerns, urging a debate on future military moves .
Military posture in the region remains high. U.S. naval and air assets, including the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson strike groups, are on standby. Additional forces are prepared in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan to deter further Iranian aggression .
Looking ahead, analysts warn that Iran’s next response could reshape Middle East dynamics. The world now watches to see whether diplomacy or further military action will steer events—and how deeply global stability may be tested.
