The United States launched a massive military operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities at the weekend, striking three central sites in an all-or-nothing gamble codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Top US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, insisted that the attacks were intended to weaken Iran’s nuclear program, not topple its regime.
The attack used 75 precision-guided weapons, such as Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military jets. Seven B-2 bombers made an 18-hour round trip from the United States to deliver 14 bunker-busting bombs, severely destroying Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, among others. Initial estimates indicated widespread damage, though how much damage had been done beneath the surface is unknown.
Vice President JD Vance made it clear that America is not in a war with Iran but with its nuclear program and claimed the strikes had put Iran’s nuclear ambitions in substantial reverse. Enhanced security for US forces was confirmed by the Pentagon, with almost 40,000 troops already deployed throughout the region.
Iran, in retaliating with missiles to Israel, has so far not attacked US forces directly. It has, however, threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, an important trade route for global oil. Tehran said it had transferred its enriched uranium out of Fordow ahead of the attack.
The attacks represent a historic escalation by President Donald Trump, who has otherwise steered clear of committing US forces to deep military involvement overseas. Trump justified the action as a way of weakening the threat to US forces. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that there were no future planned strikes unless provoked.
The crisis threatens to drive the unstable Middle East further toward chaos, as fighting rages in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. And while the US has started evacuating officials from Lebanon on grounds of security, they affirm that the strikes were a brief move aimed only at stopping Iran’s nuclear developments.
