“Pentagon Announces B-2 Bombers Preparing for ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ Post-Record Iran Nuclear Facility Assault”

At 09:03 PM WAT on Monday, June 23, 2025, the U.S. Air Force is gearing up for the highly secretive “Operation Midnight Hammer” following a record-breaking military operation against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Pentagon officials announced earlier today. The operation, which marked the largest deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers in history and the longest mission for the fleet since 2001, has set the stage for an anticipated escalation in the ongoing conflict.

The initial strike, executed over the weekend, targeted three of Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—with precision-guided munitions. Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder described the mission as a “resounding success,” noting that the B-2 bombers, launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, completed a grueling 44-hour round-trip flight—the longest since their deployment in Afghanistan two decades ago. “This operation delivered a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” Ryder said in a Sunday briefing, though he declined to provide specifics on the damage inflicted, citing operational security.

The strikes, part of a broader U.S. strategy to support Israel amid its ongoing campaign against Tehran, involved the deployment of 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), designed to destroy deeply buried targets. The mission’s scale and duration underscore the U.S. commitment to neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Tehran. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have vowed “unpredictable and severe retaliation,” with reports of missile launches targeting U.S. interests in the region emerging just hours ago.

As preparations for “Operation Midnight Hammer” begin, military analysts speculate that the next phase could involve additional strikes or a shift to defensive operations to counter Iran’s response. The Pentagon has not disclosed the operation’s objectives, but sources suggest it may target remaining Iranian military assets or reinforce U.S. positions in the Middle East. The B-2 fleet, known for its stealth capabilities, is being readied at undisclosed locations, with heightened activity reported at U.S. bases in the region, including Al-Udeid in Qatar.

The timing of the announcement coincides with a volatile regional landscape. Earlier today, explosions rocked the skies over Doha, linked to Iran’s retaliatory threats, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin issued a 7-day ultimatum to President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran. The White House has signaled its resolve, with Trump tweeting late Sunday, “We will not back down from protecting our allies and our interests. Iran will learn the cost of aggression.”

Internationally, reactions are mixed. The United Nations has called for de-escalation, while allies like the UK and France have expressed cautious support for the U.S. action. Iran’s state media broadcast footage of its missile launches, claiming a “successful counterstrike,” though U.S. Central Command reported intercepting most threats. Social media platforms, including X, are abuzz with unverified footage and heated debates, reflecting global concern over the conflict’s trajectory.

As the U.S. military mobilizes for what could be a defining moment in this crisis, the world watches with bated breath. With Iran promising retribution and the B-2 bombers poised for action, the coming days will test the limits of diplomacy and military might in the Middle East.

LISPRINCE