MISSION ACCOMPLISHED? President Donald Trump quickly declared America’s “Operation Midnight Hammer” a total, unqualified success.
“The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” Trump said late Saturday night. “Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
Recommended Stories
- Trump demands Iran’s ‘UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.’ And now we wait.
- US surges military assets to Middle East as Trump warns something ‘much bigger’ is coming
- Israel crosses the Rubicon: Netanyahu hopes Trump will follow his lead
At the Pentagon the next morning, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the claim that Iran’s nuclear program was history. “We devastated the Iranian nuclear program … Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated,” Hegseth said. “Many presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran’s nuclear program, and none could, until President Trump.”
Standing to his left on the podium in the Pentagon briefing room, Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine was more circumspect. “Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.” Asked if some nuclear capability in Iran remains, Caine replied that with the bomb damage assessment pending, “It would be way too early for me to comment on what may or may not still be there.”
TRUMP WELCOMES HOME B-2 PILOTS FOLLOWING ‘JOB WELL DONE’ IN IRAN
A TEXTBOOK OPERATION: Bombing Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities is a scenario the U.S. military has wargamed for decades, and when it came time to carry out the plan, it went off like clockwork, albeit after some adjustments to maintain the element of surprise. Because President Trump had trumpeted the threat of sending in the B-2 stealth bombers with their “massive ordinance penetrators,” the final attack plan had to include “misdirection.”
“As part of a plan to maintain tactical surprise, part of the package proceeded to the west and into the Pacific as a decoy,” Caine said, “a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners and key leaders here in Washington and in Tampa.”
The B-2’s main defense is the fact that it is nearly invisible to radar, but to ensure none were shot down, the U.S. flooded the zone with fighter jets to serve as decoys, and to ensure the B-2s faced no threat from Iranian planes or ground based air defenses. “The U.S. employed several deception tactics, including decoys as the fourth and fifth generation aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed, sweeping in front of the package for enemy fighters and surface to air missiles,” Caine said.
The operation was without a doubt a tactical success, as the planes got in and out without being detected or drawn for. The 36-hour round trip from their base in Missouri was “the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history, and the second longest B-2 mission ever flown,” Caine said.
PENTAGON DETAILS B-2 MISSION ‘OPERATION MIDNIGHT HAMMER’ TARGETING IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITES
TOO MUCH WARNING? Commercial satellite photographs posted by the Institute for the Study of War show at the primary target, the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, “six probable entry-point craters on top of a ridge above the underground complex that houses two halls of at least 2,000 centrifuges.”
But the holes don’t indicate whether the centrifuges, or more importantly, Iran’s stockpile of highly-enriched uranium, were still in the facility when it was bombed. Other satellite imagery showed what appeared to be a line of trucks emptying the complex before it was struck.
“Two unspecified Israeli officials with knowledge of the matter said initial Israeli assessments indicate that U.S. strikes did not destroy but inflicted serious damage to the site at Fordow,” the ISW said in its Sunday morning assessment. “The officials added that it appears Iran moved materials and equipment from the site ahead of the strike.”
“The Israeli military’s initial analysis concluded that the site … sustained serious damage from the strike but had not been completely destroyed,” the New York Times reported. “And there was growing evidence that the Iranians, attuned to Mr. Trump’s repeated threats to take military action, had removed 400 kilograms, or roughly 880 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity. That is just below the 90% that is usually used in nuclear weapons.”
“You don’t need to be an intelligence professional to know that we have no idea whether these strikes were successful,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) said on CNN. “Now, if what you’re looking for is a big boom and a large hole in the ground, I have very little doubt that our bunker-busters did a big boom and a very large hole in the ground. But, we don’t know sitting here right now whether the highly enriched uranium was in the Fordow facility or in the Natanz facility.”
In an interview on CNN, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it’s imperative that “we need to try to go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”
“We have to allow the IAEA inspectors to return, because don’t forget that there was this stockpile of 400 kilograms of 60% uranium there,” Grossi told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. “And Iran has made no secret that they have protected this material.”
Vice President J.D. Vance was questioned about the whereabouts of the stockpile on ABC. “Was it destroyed in this attack? Do we know? That’s a big stockpile,” asked host Jonathan Karl.
“We’re going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel. And that’s one of the things that we’re going to have conversations with the Iranians about,” Vance replied. “But what we know, Jon, is they no longer have the capacity to turn that stockpile of highly enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium. And that was really the goal here.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump is sticking to his obliteration characterization. “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!” he said. “The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”
“The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be ‘monumental,’” Trump said in a separate post. “The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!”
JOHN BOLTON: TRUMP DID THE RIGHT THING IN IRAN
Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE
HAPPENING TODAY: The Senate is scheduled to vote on Daniel Zimmerman’s nomination as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Zimmerman, a 16-year CIA officer, has served in the office of Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) as an executive branch detailee since January 2024. During President Trump’s first term, he was detailed to the White House and worked on the Abraham Accords negotiations under then-senior adviser Jared Kushner. The vote to invoke cloture on the nomination is set for 5:30 p.m.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
“It was not an attack on Iran. It was not an attack on the Iranian people. This wasn’t a regime change move. This was designed to degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions. And that was delivered on yesterday. What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next. If they choose the path of diplomacy, we’re ready. We can do a deal that’s good for them, the Iranian people, and good for the world. If they choose another route, then there will be consequences for that.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio on CBS’s Face the Nation
“We don’t want to achieve regime change. We want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear program, Jon. That’s America’s objective. And that’s what the president has set us out to do. The president … said explicitly that he’s not trying to take out the Iranian supreme leader. He’s trying to take out their nuclear program. And, of course, we took a major step forward with that last night.” Vice President J.D. Vance on ABC’s This Week
“This mission was not and has not been about regime change. The president authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self defense of our troops and our ally Israel.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” President Donald Trump on Truth Social
“Congratulations President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history. In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things, but in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message Sunday
“Iran’s fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran’s surface to air missile systems did not see us. Throughout the mission, we retained the element of surprise. In total, U.S. forces employed approximately 75 precision guided weapons during this operation. This included, like the president stated last night, 14 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, marking the first ever operational use of this weapon.” Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
“I think we’ve done significant damage. Significant, perhaps irreversible, damage to the Iranian nuclear program. I think right now, though, at CENTCOM, everyone is focused on the next step. And the next step will be, will there be an Iranian response? What will that response look like? What can we do to defend our forces, our embassies, our citizens in the region? And what options can we give the president should we choose to respond as a result of an Iranian attack?” retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, former commander of the U.S. Central Command, on CBS’s Face the Nation
“The United States should not be in an offensive war against Iran without a vote of Congress. The Constitution is completely clear on it. And I am so disappointed that the president has acted so prematurely. The foreign minister of Israel said Friday night that its own bombing campaign had set the Iranian nuclear program back, quote, ‘at least two or three years,’ closed quote. There was no urgency that suggested, while diplomatic talks were underway, that the U.S. should take this unilateral action by President Trump’s orders yesterday.” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), on CBS’s Face the Nation
“It was necessary. It was bold. It was brilliant. Hats off to the president. In May of 2022, Iran had 95 pounds of highly enriched uranium to make a handful of bombs. By May of 2025, they had 900 pounds. 60% enriched uranium has no commercial purpose. They have one peaceful reactor, actually, in Iran. They haven’t used one gram of their enrichment program to run that reactor. They get their fuel from Russia for civilian purposes. They had 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium to make more than a dozen bombs. This was the right call at the right time. It stopped their program from advancing even further. Iran, with a nuclear weapon, is an existential threat to the state of Israel. The country is in the hands of religious Nazis. They want to kill all the Jews. And they’re coming after us. And they were set back.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“This was a massive gamble by President Trump, and nobody knows yet whether it will pay off. President Trump declared: ‘Iran’s nuclear facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,’ but there is a lot we still don’t know, and we need an accurate, factual damage assessment … It’s easier to start wars than end them. Even though the U.S. maintains military dominance, we are in a dangerous stage that could lead to significant instability in the region and beyond. We must be prepared for contingencies going forward.” Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
“The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the U.N. Charter, international law, and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences … In accordance with the U.N. Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.” Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, chief nuclear negotiator
“This reckless decision to launch missile and aerial strikes on the territory of a sovereign state, regardless of the justifications offered, constitutes a blatant violation of international law, the U.N. Charter, and relevant resolutions by the U.N. Security Council, which has consistently and unequivocally deemed such actions unacceptable. Particularly concerning is the fact that the strikes were executed by a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.” Russian Foreign Ministry statement
“What have the Americans accomplished with their nighttime strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran? Critical infrastructure of the nuclear fuel cycle appears to have been unaffected or sustained only minor damage. The enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue. A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, in a post on X.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Trump hints at ‘regime change’ in Iran after US strikes
Washington Examiner: Iranian prison, Fordo nuclear facility, hit in new wave of airstrikes
Washington Examiner: Rubio says it would be ‘suicidal’ for Iran to close Strait of Hormuz
Washington Examiner: Pentagon details B-2 mission ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ targeting Iranian nuclear sites
Washington Examiner: Examining the environmental risks related to bombing Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility
Washington Examiner: Khamenei makes no mention of US in first statement after strikes
Washington Examiner: Tim Kaine predicts war resolution will get Republican votes
Washington Examiner: House Republican doubts any action by Congress to limit Trump war powers
Washington Examiner: Oil rises and US stock futures slip after US strikes Iranian nuclear sites
Washington Examiner: Trump welcomes home B-2 pilots following ‘job well done’ in Iran
Washington Examiner: China could lose more than just cheap oil if Iran collapses
Washington Examiner: Russian economic minister acknowledges nation is ‘on the brink’ of ‘recession’
Washington Examiner: How Trump’s ‘coercive diplomacy’ failed to forestall war between Israel and Iran
Washington Examiner: British Air Force base infiltrated by Palestinian protesters in disturbing security lapse
Washington Examiner: Wicker tells Hegseth Pentagon budget is ‘inadequate’
Washington Examiner: Trump nominates Adm. Daryl Caudle to lead Navy
Washington Examiner: ICE sweeping up ‘essential workers’ as raids spread nationwide
Washington Examiner: Judge rules Abrego Garcia must be released while awaiting trial
Washington Examiner: John Bolton: Trump did the right thing in Iran
Wall Street Journal: Trump Gave Final Go-Ahead for Iran Attack Hours Before Bombs Fell
Washington Post: Democrats, and Some Republicans, Question Trump’s Unilateral Attack
Air & Space Forces Magazine: The Weapons of Operation Midnight Hammer: MOPs, Tomahawks, and More
Politico: Top Pentagon Spy Pick Rejected by White House
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Marine Tapped to Lead F-35 Joint Program Office
Inside Defense: SpaceX Contracted for MILNET Satellite Communications Network
Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Recruiting Task Force Looks to Build on Recent Gains
Military.com: Her Medal of Honor Was Once Revoked. Now Her Base is Being Renamed.
Militarycom: Afghan Ally Who Aided the US Military Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet
THE CALENDAR:
MONDAY | JUNE 23
8:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Afghanistan War Commission hearing: “Key decisions surrounding the 2009-2012 surge in U.S. military and civilian personnel deployed to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama,” with former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry; former Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia David Sedney; former Deputy National Security Adviser for Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute; and former Afghan Chief of Staff Jawed Ludin; Afghan National Army Chief of Operations Gen. Sher Karimi; former Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan Earl Anthony Wayne; former Commander of NATO’s Training Mission in Afghanistan retired Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolger (virtually); and former Assistant Chief of Staff for International Security Assistant Force retired Army Brig. Gen. Michael Meese https://www.youtube.com/live
10 a.m. — Middle East Institute virtual discussion: “US Attacks Iran: Israel-Iran Conflict Update,” with retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, former commander, U.S. Central Command; Daniel Benaim, associate fellow, Middle East Institute; Colby Connelly, senior fellow, Middle East Institute; Ken Pollack, vice president for policy, Middle East Institute https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
10 a.m — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Space Force International Partnership Strategy,” with Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, assistant chief of space operations for future concepts and partnerships at the U.S. Space Force; and Sarah Mineiro, non-resident senior associate at the CSIS Aerospace Security Project https://www.csis.org/events/space-force-international-partnership
3 p.m. — Jewish Institute for National Security of America virtual discussion: “Operation Midnight Hammer: U.S. Strikes Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites,” with retired IDF Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror, former national security advisor to the prime minister, retired IDF Maj. Gen. Yaacov Ayish; retired IDF Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin; John Hannah, former national security advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney; and Michael Makovsky, president and CEO, JINSA https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
8 p.m. — Atlantic Council conference: “The Next Decade: Shaping the Future of U.S.-ROK Nuclear Cooperation,” with Joyce Connery, principal owner of Connery Strategies and former chair, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/the-next-decade
TUESDAY | JUNE 24
The Hague, Netherlands — The Netherlands hosts 2025 NATO Leaders Summit June 24-25. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_234793.htm
9 a.m. — Hudson Institute NATO Public Forum https://www.hudson.org/events/nato-public-forum-2025
10 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “The Need for Speed: Transforming Defense Procurement for a Dangerous World,” with House Armed Services Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL); House Armed Services ranking member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA); Dan Patt, senior fellow at the Hudson Center for Defense Concepts and Technology; and Bryan Clark, director, Hudson Center for Defense Concepts and Technology https://www.hudson.org/events/need-speed-transforming-defense
3:30 p.m. — Air and Space Forces Association Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual discussion: “U.S. Defense Through a Congressional Lens,” with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/events/rep-don-bacon/