Operation Midnight Hammer: Gen. Caine Details Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites

Operation Midnight Hammer Overview

• 🎯 Operation Midnight Hammer was a US military mission targeting Iranian nuclear sites, detailed by Gen. Dan Caine.
• ⚡ The operation commenced at approximately 6:40 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (2:10 a.m. Iran time) on a Sunday morning.
• 🗺️ All three designated Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Eastern time.

Weaponry and Targets

• 💣 A total of 14 GBU-57 massive ordinance penetrator (MOP) weapons were dropped on two nuclear target areas.
• 💥 This marked the first operational use of the GBU-57 MOP, a 30,000lb weapon designed for penetrating hardened targets.
• 🌊 Tomahawk missiles were the final weapons to strike at Esfahan, employed to maintain the element of surprise.

Mission Execution and Success

• ✈️ The strike package consisted of over 125 US aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, fighter jets, refueling tankers, and ISR aircraft.
• 🤫 The mission successfully retained the element of surprise throughout, with no shots fired at the package and Iranian fighters not flying.
• 📉 Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.

Military Capability and Readiness

• 🚀 This operation was the largest B-2 operational strike in US history and the second-longest B-2 mission ever flown.
• 🛡️ Force protection measures were elevated across the region, and US forces remain on high alert to respond to any potential Iranian retaliation.
• ✅ The mission demonstrated the unmatched reach, coordination, and capability of the United States military, executed from strategic planning to global execution in weeks.

Personnel and Security

• 👏 Gen. Caine expressed immense pride in the air crews, naval forces, cyber operators, planners, and support teams involved.
• 🔒 A strong emphasis was placed on operational security, a key concern for the president, secretary, and military leadership.
• 🙏 The joint force remains ready to defend US interests, with thoughts extended to warfighters en route home and deployed service members.