In recent weeks, President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to develop military options aimed at demolishing Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities due to frustration with the stalled negotiations with Tehran.
Despite previously believing that he could negotiate a new deal to replace the 2015 nuclear agreement, Trump shifted his stance as talks did not progress as anticipated.
Vice President JD Vance articulated on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that by mid-May, Trump concluded the diplomatic process was ineffective, leading him to issue ultimatums to Iran.
This culminated in the decision to target the Fordo nuclear facility and potentially other sites, marking a move towards military intervention.
The chain of command escalated after Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented various military options to Trump at Camp David earlier in the month.
Amid the discussions, Trump was presented with multiple alternatives—including opting not to intervene at all—but began favoring military action.
As plans for a strike progressed, they became increasingly refined, leading to a decision to utilize B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
These bombers were selected for their ability to deploy the massive 30,000-pound GBU-57, known as a Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the only asset capable of reaching Fordo’s heavily fortified facilities.
While Israel may possess smaller U.S.-manufactured bunker busters, they do not have the capacity to deploy the GBU-57 or the bombers capable of delivering it.
Notably, many within the administration were unaware of Trump’s military plans ahead of the operation.
In a surprise twist, amid preparations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump had agreed to allow up to two weeks for Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal.
This announcement provided Trump a buffer to change his mind should he reconsider the military operation.
According to a senior White House official, at the time of Leavitt’s statement, Trump had not finalized his decision but was inclined to pursue military action.
While the Pentagon readied for strikes, diplomatic efforts continued largely through special envoy Steve Witkoff, as Trump sought daily updates on military options and Israeli operations.
The day following Leavitt’s announcement, Trump instructed military plans to be further executed, though he refrained from issuing the final go-ahead immediately.
Code-named Midnight Hammer, the strikes were meticulously planned, with covert movements already underway.
Certain B-2 bombers were repositioned toward the Pacific as part of a diversionary tactic, and Tomahawk cruise missile-firing submarines were strategically placed in the region.
U.S. Navy vessels were also deployed to continue defensive operations that had been ongoing since the Israeli offensive against Iran escalated earlier that month.
The Pentagon’s mission was classified, with few officials in Washington aware of its precise timing or nature.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that most U.S. military personnel in the region were unaware of the impending strikes.
As possibilities of military intervention drew nearer, Trump’s advisers consistently checked if he still intended to proceed.
On Saturday morning, Hegseth reaffirmed with Trump whether the operation was still authorized while the president was at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Upon confirming the order to advance, Trump further connected with Hegseth later that day while en route to Washington.
Upon arrival, Trump proceeded to the Situation Room, where he monitored the mission alongside key advisers, including Vance, Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, Caine, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Hegseth.
At approximately 6:40 PM Washington time, or 2:10 AM Iranian time, the first bombs began to drop.
The lead B-2 aircraft launched two GBU-57s targeting Fordo, the primary objective of the mission.
Subsequent bombers followed suit, unleashing a total of 14 GBU-57s primarily on Fordo and another site known as Natanz.
Additionally, the submarine executed strikes with Tomahawk cruise missiles on a third facility located in Isfahan.
Overall, the operation is reported to have been executed smoothly without American casualties, successfully hitting the identified targets.
The Pentagon deployed over 125 aircraft, releasing around 75 total weapons during the mission.
In the aftermath, Trump and Hegseth quickly characterized the operation as a success, with Trump announcing via Truth Social that it was a “very successful attack.”
Hegseth hailed it as Trump delivering “the final blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Ongoing evaluations will determine the long-term effectiveness and consequences of the strikes in Iran.
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