The U.S. launched a precision strike on Iran’s nuclear sites with the main goal of degrading their nuclear capabilities—not to change the regime—according to senior Trump-administration officials. Only a small circle inside the Pentagon and the White House knew the full details beforehand, ensuring Iran had little time to react.
Operation “Midnight Hammer” Details
In “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the U.S. deployed seven B-2 stealth bombers carrying 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs against three underground nuclear facilities. In total, more than 125 aircraft and over 75 precision-guided munitions were involved, underscoring a highly coordinated theater operation.
Purpose: Not Regime Change
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the strike was never about ousting Iran’s government and never will be. The sole objective was to roll back Iran’s nuclear threat and deter future escalation.
Conditional, Limited Response
Vice President J.D. Vance told NBC’s Meet the Press that the U.S. is not at war with Iran—“we simply set back their nuclear program.” He added there is no plan to send ground troops and any further action will depend solely on Iran’s next move.
Damage Assessment & Next Steps
Early battle-damage assessments report “significant destruction,” especially at Fordow’s buried facilities. However, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cautioned that underground damage must be confirmed by further on-site inspections.
Iran’s Retaliation & Tensions
Within hours, Iran fired missiles at an Israeli base, injuring civilians and disrupting oil-shipping routes near Tel Aviv. Tehran also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, though no blockade has yet occurred.
Regional Conflict Landscape
This strike adds to over 20 months of conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, ongoing unrest in Syria, and a U.S. military presence of roughly 40,000 troops and advanced defenses across the Middle East. Washington has warned it will respond swiftly to any attacks on its forces or allies.
Not an Open-Ended War
At the Pentagon, Hegseth made clear that there are no plans for a prolonged campaign. “If Iran forces our hand again, we will respond—but there is no second strike planned.” Senator Marco Rubio echoed this on CBS’s Face the Nation, saying, “We met our objectives; unless they play games, this operation is over.”
Humanitarian & Economic Risks
A severe conflict could disrupt nearly one-quarter of the world’s oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz, sending global markets into turmoil. Civilians across the region already live in fear, and the U.S. has ordered non-essential personnel out of Iraq and Syria for safety.
Conclusion
Operation Midnight Hammer conveys a clear message: the U.S. will aggressively counter any nuclear threat from Iran but is not seeking regime change or an open-ended war. Using stealth bombers and bunker-busters, Washington demonstrated the ability to conduct precise, rapid strikes. Yet the move risks further inflaming tensions in an already unstable region, posing new challenges for global security.