Middle East Pentagon: ‘Bold and Brilliant’ Operation That Crippled Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure

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Pentagon: ‘Bold and Brilliant’ Operation That Crippled Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure”

 

The Pentagon has declared a high-stakes overnight strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities a decisive success, describing it as a “bold and brilliant” operation that inflicted massive damage without harming civilians or military personnel. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opened the briefing by emphasizing the mission’s primary aim: to “degrade” and “destroy” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

 

 

“This was a highly classified mission with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of this plan,” Hegseth explained, calling the execution a testament to the precision and secrecy of the US military. Directing reporters to a large screen, Air Force General Dan Caine of the Joint Chiefs of Staff provided detailed insights into the timeline and logistics of the strike.

 

 

According to Caine, the attack began when seven B-2 bombers undertook an 18-hour flight. At roughly 17:00 local time (22:00 BST), a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting key nuclear infrastructure at the Isfahan site. Strikes on all three designated targets—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—occurred between 18:40 and 19:05 Eastern Time.

 

“It appears that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems did not see us,” said Caine. “We are not aware of any shots fired at our aircraft during egress.” He further revealed that the final Tomahawk strike was timed to ensure the US retained “the element of surprise.”

 

General Caine said that the mission involved the “largest B-2 operational strike in US history,” and preliminary assessments showed “extremely severe damage and destruction” to all targeted nuclear facilities. “Final battle damage will take some time,” he noted, “but an initial battle damage assessment indicates all three sites sustained extremely severe damage.”

 

Hegseth echoed the assessment, stating: “All of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike and had the desired effect.” He confirmed that the attack specifically avoided military personnel and civilians, reiterating, “This mission was not and has not been about regime change.”

 

With US forces on “high alert” following the operation, Hegseth issued a stern warning to Tehran. “Any retaliation would be an incredibly poor choice,” he said.

 

Asked whether there had been a definitive moment when President Donald Trump decided to authorize the operation, Hegseth said Trump had been “fully committed to the peace process” but was repeatedly met with “stonewalling” from Iran. “There was no particular moment for Trump,” he said. “But there was a moment where he realised there was a time when action needed to be taken to minimise the threat.”

 

Hegseth further stressed that Washington had not closed the door on diplomacy. “They know precisely what the American position is, what steps they can take to allow for peace, and I hope they do so.”

 

During the Pentagon’s briefing, Vice-President JD Vance echoed the administration’s stance in an interview with NBC News. “The United States is not at war with Iran,” he stated. “We are at war with its nuclear ambitions.” Vance affirmed that the US believes it has “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear programme and rejected suggestions that the operation fell outside President Trump’s authority. “It’s not true,” he said, responding to criticism from Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

 

Caine also disclosed that a total of 75 precision-guided munitions were used in the strike, including 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—commonly known as “bunker busters.” Some bombers were dispatched westward into the Pacific as a decoy to divert attention and mask the real target.

 

“The president has authorised a precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear programme and the collective self defence of our troops and our ally, Israel,” Hegseth concluded. “We devastated the Iranian nuclear programme, but it's worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.”

 

As the bombers return home, the Pentagon continues its assessment of the operation’s long-term impact, but early signs indicate the mission achieved its core objective: a crippling blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-06-23

 

 

[TedG]

The strike was well planned and executed. 

[jerrymahoney]

Adapted from NY Times:

But neither Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth nor Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could immediately say whether Iran still retained the ability to make a nuclear weapon. Mr. Hegseth repeated President Trump’s assertion from the previous night that the nuclear sites had been “obliterated.” General Caine did not.

[Hawaiian]

6 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Adapted from NY Times:

But neither Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth nor Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could immediately say whether Iran still retained the ability to make a nuclear weapon. Mr. Hegseth repeated President Trump’s assertion from the previous night that the nuclear sites had been “obliterated.” General Caine did not.

Without fail, as expected, Trump boasted of complete success.  General Caine was more truthful, waiting for an accurate assessment of actual damage inflicted.   

[jerrymahoney]

(Hegseth) continued, “Many presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran’s nuclear program, and none could until President Trump. The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks, the world should listen.”

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/22/politics/pete-hegseth-dan-caine-iran-strike

 

B-2 Strikes On Iran: What We Know About Operation Midnight Hammer (Updated)
The mission that has been in contingency planning and rehearsal for many years included assets from below the waves to space.

 

https://www.twz.com/air/b-2-strikes-on-iran-what-we-know-about-operation-midnight-hammer

 

REDUX::

 

On 10 June 2025, during the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on its nuclear program, (Western Command Dir., Tampa) Kurilla said at a congressional hearing that he prepared a "wide range" of military options for President Donald Trump if negotiations fail.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kurilla

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, TedG said:

The strike was well planned and executed. 

Indeed, the logistics were incredible and without doubt this has put their nuclear program years behind, if not totally destroyed it. Time for Iran to come to the negotiation talks now and end it.

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/22/world/video/iran-before-and-after-us-strikes-satellite-photos-vrtc

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, TedG said:

The strike was well planned and executed. 

Thanks Scoop 

[quake]

Bomb baby Bomb.

Don,  taking care of business.  

 

[Pouatchee]

i just hope the chinese and russians and pakistan behave themselves and are as scared of ww3 as many are

[Dan747]

 God bless President Trump. His decision has clearly made the world a safer place. Iran still has the knowledge and could rebuild their nuclear bomb which could happen in five years plus. For stabilization in the Middle east, there needs to be a regime change. Just saying.

[JimHuaHin]

Who are what will be Trump's next target?  China?

[papa al]

Isn't congressional approval required before war/

Article 1 of US Constitution.?

That pesky document.!

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, papa al said:

Isn't congressional approval required before war/

Article 1 of US Constitution.?

That pesky document.!

 

I've been asking if this same principle applies to the last number of presidents who all carried out drone strikes without congressional approval.

 

Dropping a bomb from a drone is the same thing no ? They have all done it. Obama even killed a US citizen without approval.

[jerrymahoney]

Photo of trucks leaving Fordo 19 JUN pre-strike

 

The images of the secretive plant, which were collected on Thursday and Friday, depict truck and vehicle activity near to the entrance of the underground military complex.

 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/satellite-images-show-activity-at-irans-fordo-before-us-air-strikes.html

 

[jts-khorat]

27 minutes ago, Dan747 said:

 God bless President Trump. His decision has clearly made the world a safer place. Iran still has the knowledge and could rebuild their nuclear bomb which could happen in five years plus. For stabilization in the Middle east, there needs to be a regime change. Just saying.

 

It would be not a very surprising occurance to me, if Iran and Russia would start exchanging more than drone technology. The material needed to build a nuke is not more than a shipping container full, and the regime in Tehran knows now for certain that it is a question of literal survival to get a nuke as fast as possible and at any price.

 

War as the only "diplomatic" tool is a very short-sighted and limited tool and both the Iran and the USA have put themselves into the same primitive corner.

[stevenl]

29 minutes ago, Dan747 said:

 God bless President Trump. His decision has clearly made the world a safer place. Iran still has the knowledge and could rebuild their nuclear bomb which could happen in five years plus. For stabilization in the Middle east, there needs to be a regime change. Just saying.

Nobody knows whether the strike eas a success.

[jts-khorat]

5 minutes ago, jts-khorat said:

 

It would be not a very surprising occurance to me, if Iran and Russia would start exchanging more than drone technology. The material needed to build a nuke is not more than a shipping container full, and the regime in Tehran knows now for certain that it is a question of literal survival to get a nuke as fast as possible and at any price.

 

War as the only "diplomatic" tool is a very short-sighted and limited tool and both the Iran and the USA have put themselves into the same primitive corner.

 

Only minutes after I wrote this, Trump's most-beloved friends in Russia have this to say:

 

"The enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue," Dmitry Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, said in a Sunday X post. "A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads," Medvedev said.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/russian-leader-claims-multiple-countries-prepped-provide-iran-nuclear-weapons-following-us-strikes

 

Oops!

[Quentin Zen]

Iran will be given nukes.  The entire middle east will get nuked.   

 

In 100 years, Americans will freely visit their winter homes.

 

The simulation is now playing Tic-Tac-Toe

 

This time you must play

[Bkk Brian]

7 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Nobody knows whether the strike eas a success.

They have a good idea though. Sorry to disappoint you.

 

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the facility at Natanz had been "completely destroyed", while its underground halls "suffered a lot" because of cuts to electricity as the result of Israeli attacks.

He also told CNN that the Isfahan site had suffered "very significant damage".

At Fordow, which is deep underground, he said it was difficult to know how much damage had been done.

Satellite images appear to show major damage at Isfahan.

https://news.sky.com/story/iranian-nuclear-sites-sustained-extremely-severe-damage-us-says-13387146

 

 

[riclag]

Looks like Trump got his Patton .

 

General Razin Caine.

 

Much better than Mild manner General Millie  or the other nitwit Austin.

[jerrymahoney]

Hegseth defers to general on Pentagon’s plans for Iran
U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla is overruling other top Pentagon officials.

 

06/18/2025 05:55 AM EDT

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given an unusual level of authority to a single general in the latest Middle East crisis — an Iran hawk who is pushing for a strong military response against the country.

 

U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla has played an outsized role in the escalating clashes between Tehran and Israel, with officials noting nearly all his requests have been approved, from more aircraft carriers to fighter planes in the region.

 

The pugnacious general, who is known as “The Gorilla,” is overruling other top Pentagon officials and playing a quiet but decisive role in the country’s next steps on Iran, according to a former and current defense official, a diplomat, and a person familiar with the dynamic.

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/hegseth-erik-kurilla-iran-pentagon-response-00411007

 

NB Chairman Joint Chiefs Caine was confirmed by the Senate for the job 11 April, 2025 and sworn in 14 April, 2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Caine

[bamnutsak]

Mission Accomplished....

 

 

[shdmn]

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

Photo of trucks leaving Fordo 19 JUN pre-strike

 

The images of the secretive plant, which were collected on Thursday and Friday, depict truck and vehicle activity near to the entrance of the underground military complex.

 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/satellite-images-show-activity-at-irans-fordo-before-us-air-strikes.html

 

As if the Israelis dont know where those trucks are. No sense spreading radiation all over the place, Im sure that stuff is going nowhere anyway.

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

 

Only minutes after I wrote this, Trump's most-beloved friends in Russia have this to say:

 

"The enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue," Dmitry Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, said in a Sunday X post. "A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads," Medvedev said.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/russian-leader-claims-multiple-countries-prepped-provide-iran-nuclear-weapons-following-us-strikes

 

Oops!

Wow thats a credible threat LOL. 

 

Nothing happens in Iran anymore that we dont know about and can destroy.

[JAG]

3 hours ago, quake said:

Bomb baby Bomb.

Don,  taking care of business.  

 

Gracious me, he has lost quite a bit of weight. Must be all the worry!

[jerrymahoney]

26 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

As if the Israelis dont know where those trucks are. No sense spreading radiation all over the place, Im sure that stuff is going nowhere anyway.

'UNUSUAL ACTIVITY'
Several experts also cautioned that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of Fordow before the strike early Sunday morning and could be hiding it and other nuclear components in locations unknown to Israel, the U.S. and U.N. nuclear inspectors.

They noted satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showing "unusual activity" at Fordow on Thursday and Friday, with a long line of vehicles waiting outside an entrance of the facility. A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday most of the near weapons-grade 60% highly enriched uranium had been moved to an undisclosed location before the U.S. attack.

 

"I don't think you can with great confidence do anything but set back their nuclear program by maybe a few years," said Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. "There's almost certainly facilities that we don't know about.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/satellite-images-indicate-severe-damage-fordow-doubts-remain-2025-06-22/

[Yagoda]

4 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

According to an analysis by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, the trucks were likely sealing the tunnels that serve as entrances to the underground storage areas.

Well those are gone then.....

[jerrymahoney]

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

Well those are gone then.....

So maybe is the already processed uranium.

[CallumWK]

4 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Indeed, the logistics were incredible and without doubt this has put their nuclear program years behind, if not totally destroyed it. Time for Iran to come to the negotiation talks now and end it.

 

That is if there even was enriching, or enriched uranium, at that location.

 

Reports are that there is no increased radiation at the bombed sites, so could well be that Trump wasted a few billion of taxpayers money bombing a dud.