The US launched a surprise attack, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, on three Iranian nuclear sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strikes, involving B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, used deception tactics to surprise Tehran, emphasizing that the US does not seek war but will act decisively when threatened. The operation, involving the second-longest B-2 mission ever, inflicted "extremely severe damage" on the Iranian facilities, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine. The attacks utilized GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs for the first time in conflict.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.