In brief
The U.S. military conducted a covert operation targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities on June 21, but the impact is still being evaluated.
In a stunning display of military power, the Pentagon announced “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which involved B-2 stealth bombers and other aircraft striking key Iranian nuclear sites. The operation was executed in secrecy and aimed at three locations: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that initial assessments indicated significant damage, but the final evaluation of Iran's nuclear capabilities remains uncertain.The coordinated strikes began from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Friday night, sending bombers over 7,000 miles across the Atlantic and Mediterranean before targeting the fortified sites in Iran. This rapid operation lasted less than half an hour on Saturday evening.While Hegseth claimed the sites were "obliterated," General Dan Caine pointed out that further assessment is needed to understand Iran's remaining nuclear potential. The American public and global observers are left waiting for a clearer picture of the operation’s aftermath and any potential repercussions.
