Seven B-2 stealth bombers returned safely to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on Sunday, completing a daring round-trip mission to Iran as part of Operation Midnight Hammer—a coordinated strike on three of the regime’s most critical nuclear facilities.
Taking off early Saturday morning, the bombers flew nonstop on a 36-hour mission that showcased the unmatched reach and precision of U.S. air power. According to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, the operation involved decoys, multiple in-flight refuelings, and a coordinated support package of fighters that escorted the strike team deep into Iranian airspace.
“As the strike package entered Iranian territory, we executed a deception campaign involving high-speed 4th and 5th generation aircraft to neutralize surface-to-air threats,” Caine said during a Sunday press briefing. “Our assets engaged in suppression tactics that guaranteed a safe corridor for the bombers to strike their targets.”
Targets included Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. The aerial assault began around 6:40 p.m. ET with the B-2s dropping ordnance on Fordo and Natanz, followed by Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines striking Isfahan within minutes. The entire operation was completed within a 25-minute window.
Remarkably, Iran’s air defenses failed to engage. “We retained total surprise. There’s no evidence of shots fired either on entry or exit,” said Caine. “Iran’s air defense systems didn’t see us—and their fighters never got off the ground.”
Following the mission, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the men and women behind the operation, hailing their flawless execution.
“I want to recognize every American involved in this mission—pilots, refuelers, destroyer crews, sub crews, and those standing QRF,” Hegseth said. “Warriors. All of them. Every one performed flawlessly.”
The success of Operation Midnight Hammer sends a clear message: under President Trump’s leadership, the United States will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran—and American deterrence is back.