US Bombers Strike Iran: Decoy Maneuver Unveiled

In a stunning operation, the United States deployed a complex aerial attack on Iran, utilizing a strategic decoy to mask its true intentions. This intricate military maneuver, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved stealth bombers, cruise missiles, and deception tactics aimed at Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Deception Unveiled

The core of the operation involved a diversionary tactic. As flight tracking enthusiasts noticed, a group of U.S. B-2 bombers took an unusual westward route across the Pacific, drawing attention away from the actual target. This decoy was part of the larger plan, according to the highest-ranking U.S. military official, to maintain a crucial element of surprise.

Meanwhile, a separate group of seven B-2 Spirit bombers, each crewed by two members, stealthily flew eastward across the Atlantic. The entire journey to the target zone took approximately eighteen hours with minimal communication, according to General Dan Caine during a Pentagon briefing.

“As the Operation Midnight Hammer strike package entered Iranian airspace, the US employed several deception tactics, including decoys.”

—General Caine, Pentagon Briefing

A U.S. submarine simultaneously launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles against key infrastructure targets. The coordinated timing of these actions was essential to the operation’s success.

Reports from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicate that global military expenditure reached an all-time high in 2023, reflecting the volatile geopolitical landscape, and further underscores the significance of such operations (SIPRI, 2023).

Targets and Tactics

The primary targets of the operation were Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. Stealth bombers each carried massive ordnance penetrator (MOP) bombs, capable of destroying hardened facilities.

The raid began at midnight local time with the B-2s being joined by fighter jets 17 hours later, which provided escort and support. The bombers refueled mid-air several times. As the strike package entered Iranian airspace, decoys and other deception tactics were employed to confuse the enemy.

The White House Situation Room was the site of the observation, where Donald Trump, alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, monitored the mission.

At around 6:40 pm, Washington time, the lead B-2 dropped its payload. The remaining bombers followed, striking the targets and releasing a total of fourteen MOPs. The Tomahawk missiles were the last to strike, ensuring the element of surprise throughout the mission.

Aftermath and Implications

Following the bomb drops, the aircraft departed Iranian airspace. Officials have not yet released damage assessments, although initial reports suggest the three targeted sites sustained severe damage. General Caine said that Iran’s fighters did not take flight, and their surface-to-air missile systems did not engage the U.S. aircraft.

The operation was a carefully planned and executed mission involving extensive preparation and coordination. Pete Hegseth stated that the goal was not regime change, but instead to neutralize the hazards posed by Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has vowed a response to the attack.