US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that the United States does not desire war with Iran, following a surprising overnight assault on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The operation was executed using tactics of deception and decoys, encountering no opposition from Iranian forces, according to Hegseth and General Dan Caine.
Hegseth clarified that the mission was not aimed at regime change, emphasising that the strikes specifically targeted nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan without harming Iranian military personnel or civilians. This caution was intended to prevent any retaliation against American forces in the region. According to Caine, the operation’s objective was successfully fulfilled, with initial assessments indicating significant damage to all targeted sites.
Hegseth outlined that the movement of several B-2 bombers from Missouri was a strategic distraction. This elaborate plan facilitated the bombing of Iran’s most significant nuclear site with minimal detection from Iranian defence systems. A total of 14 bunker-buster bombs were dropped on these facilities without alerting Iran’s aerial and missile defences.
Following the attacks, Hegseth noted ongoing efforts to communicate with Iranian officials. He mentioned that both public and private messages have been conveyed to Iran, underscoring the US’s willingness to negotiate a diplomatic resolution. The US has consistently made its position clear, hoping for Iran to take steps towards peace.
These military actions were prompted by stalled diplomatic efforts after five rounds of nuclear negotiations, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, since April. A sixth round of talks was abandoned due to recent escalations involving Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear targets. The White House confirmed that communications with Iran had continued through the previous week.
The operation, labelled “Midnight Hammer,” commenced late Friday into Saturday, with B-2 bombers dispatched on a carefully planned flight path. A US submarine also launched over two dozen Tomahawk missiles targeting crucial infrastructure at the Isfahan site. As the bombers approached Iranian airspace, various deception tactics were employed to secure their path, including using high-speed fighter jets for suppression against potential threats.
At approximately 6:40 PM ET, the lead B-2 bomber deployed two massive bunker-buster bombs at the Fordow nuclear facility, followed by strikes on the other two sites shortly after. Despite the scale of the operation, no defensive action was taken by Iran against US forces during the mission.
In summary, the US military operation meticulously planned and executed, aimed at disabling key Iranian nuclear capabilities while simultaneously maintaining a clear message of openness to diplomacy.