In the early hours of June 21, 2025, the United States launched its largest B-2 bomber operation in history under the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure with precision strikes and overwhelming force across three key locations.

Stealth Bombers, Submarines and Deception Tactics

The operation began at 00:01 ET, with seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from Whiteman AFB deployed toward Iran. To ensure operational security, a secondary “decoy” group flew west over the Pacific, diverting attention from the main strike group flying undetected across the Atlantic.

The strike package included 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs), and AGM-88 HARM missiles launched from the Red Sea and Mediterranean.

Timeline and Precision Hits

• 17:00 ET

U.S. Navy launched 30 TLAMs from assets in 5th and 6th Fleet against Natanz and Isfahan.

• 18:40–19:05 ET

B-2 bombers dropped 12 MOPs on Fordow, 2 more on Natanz.

• 19:38 ET

Bombers exited Iranian airspace; mission complete after ~37 hours in flight.

Iran’s air defense systems were reportedly suppressed or inactive. No U.S. aircraft were lost.

Strategic Targets: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan

The Fordow facility, buried deep inside a mountain, was struck with MOPs in the first-ever combat use of these weapons. Natanz, Iran’s oldest enrichment site, and Isfahan, home to Iran’s largest nuclear research hub, also suffered damage from missiles and secondary bombings.

Despite the success, the exact status of Iran’s uranium stockpile remains unknown, with intelligence indicating that enriched fuel may have been moved beforehand.

Largest B-2 Operation in History

More than 125 assets were mobilized across CENTCOM and EUCOM regions, including:

• 7× B-2 bombers
• Dozens of 4th and 5th-generation support aircraft
• U.S. Navy submarine near the Gulf of Oman
• 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles
• Unspecified space, cyber, and electronic warfare assets

U.S. Central Command, European Command, Strategic Command, and Space Force all supported the mission.