June 22, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, the United States launched a massive military operation, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—early Sunday, June 22, 2025.
President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a “spectacular military success,” claiming Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities were “completely and totally obliterated.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi countered with a stern warning, vowing “everlasting consequences” and reserving “all options” to retaliate.
The operation, involving B-2 stealth bombers flying 37 hours non-stop from Missouri with mid-air refueling, has plunged the Middle East into a volatile new phase, raising fears of a wider regional war. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the strikes, their execution, global reactions, and implications for Canada and the world, drawing on the latest reports and public sentiment.
The Strikes: Operation Midnight Hammer Unveiled
A Historic Military Operation
At approximately midnight Eastern Time on June 21, 2025, the US military launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a meticulously planned assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The operation involved over 125 aircraft, including seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, refueling tankers, reconnaissance planes, and fighter jets, supported by Navy submarines firing Tomahawk cruise missiles. The primary targets were Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, critical to its nuclear program.
The U.S. announces that the strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites were called off”Operation Midnight Hammer” pic.twitter.com/tLIyQ1g0tD
— Vucture News (@vucture_news) June 22, 2025
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Fordow: Located 300 feet beneath a mountain near Qom, Fordow is Iran’s most fortified nuclear site, designed to withstand conventional attacks. The US deployed 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs—30,000-pound “bunker busters” carried exclusively by B-2 bombers—to penetrate its defenses.
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Natanz: A larger enrichment plant, previously targeted by Israel, was hit with additional MOPs to disrupt centrifuge operations.
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Isfahan: Struck with over 30 Tomahawk missiles, this site hosts research and uranium conversion facilities.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine revealed that the operation included a deception tactic, with some B-2s flying west over the Pacific as a decoy while others proceeded east to Iran with minimal communications. The 37-hour mission, the longest B-2 operation since 2001, required multiple mid-air refuelings by KC-135 Stratotankers from Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Trump’s Bold Claims
In a televised address from the White House at 10 p.m. EDT on June 21, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Trump declared, “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” He described the strikes as a “spectacular military success” aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which he labeled a threat from “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.” Trump warned Iran against retaliation, stating, “If peace does not come quickly, we will go after other targets with precision, speed, and skill.”
President Trump’s public statement over the bombing of Iran Nuclear site in Fordow , Natanz and Esfahan. pic.twitter.com/y22Xe8yfKS
— Vucture News (@vucture_news) June 22, 2025
On Truth Social, Trump posted, “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. Fordow is gone,” and threatened, “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.” These claims, however, face skepticism, as Iranian officials downplayed the damage, asserting that Fordow’s core facilities remained intact, with only entry and exit tunnels affected.
Iran’s Defiant Response
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a “grave violation of the UN Charter” and international law, accusing Trump of crossing a “very big red line.” He warned of “everlasting consequences” and stated that Iran “reserves all options” to defend its sovereignty. Iranian state media, including IRNA, reported no radioactive contamination at the sites, with Qom’s Crisis Management Headquarters assuring residents’ safety.
A hardline adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hossein Shariatmadari, called for missile strikes and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization vowed to continue its nuclear program, describing the attacks as “lawlessness based on the rules of the jungle.” Supreme Leader Khamenei has yet to issue an official response, leaving the world on edge.
The Execution: 37 Hours of Precision
The B-2 Bombers’ Marathon Mission
The B-2 stealth bombers, departing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flew a grueling 37-hour round trip, covering over 12,000 miles. Each B-2 carried two GBU-57 MOPs, designed to penetrate deeply buried targets like Fordow. The mission’s success hinged on mid-air refueling, with eight KC-135 Stratotankers providing fuel over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Flight tracking data showed tankers aligning with B-2 flight paths, ensuring non-stop operations. The use of decoy bombers over the Pacific, a tactic known to only a select few planners, maintained tactical surprise. Gen. Caine called it the “largest B-2 operational strike in US history,” surpassing previous missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
United States conducted airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran_ Fordow,Natanz, and Esfahan. pic.twitter.com/aypu5ZmAAI
— Vucture News (@vucture_news) June 22, 2025
Tomahawk Missiles and Naval Support
At 5 p.m. ET on June 21, a US submarine launched over 30 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles at Isfahan’s nuclear infrastructure, targeting surface facilities. These precision strikes complemented the B-2s’ deep-penetration bombs, maximizing damage across Iran’s nuclear network.
Damage Assessment: Conflicting Reports
Initial US assessments, per Defense Secretary Hegseth, indicate that “all precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike,” devastating Iran’s nuclear capabilities without harming civilians or troops. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showed significant disruption at Fordow, though Iran’s claims of minimal damage suggest the facility’s core may remain operational. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no off-site radiation increases, supporting Iran’s assertion of no contamination.
Escalation of Regional Conflict
The Iran-Israel War Context
The US strikes mark a pivotal moment in the Iran-Israel conflict, which intensified on June 13, 2025, with Israel’s surprise attack on Iranian military targets. Over the past nine days, Israel has systematically targeted Iran’s air defenses, missile capabilities, and nuclear sites, while Iran retaliated with over 450 ballistic missiles and drones, wounding at least 86 in Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump, stating the strikes were conducted in “full coordination” and would “change the history of the Middle East.” Israel’s bombing campaign, including the alleged assassination of Quds Force commander Saeed Izadi, has weakened Iran’s proxy network, notably Hezbollah and Hamas.
Trump’s Shift from Diplomacy
Trump’s decision to strike, despite promising to avoid Middle East wars, followed failed diplomatic efforts. On June 19, he gave Iran two weeks to negotiate, but Israeli pressure and intelligence suggesting Iran’s nuclear progress prompted a faster response. Trump’s last-ditch attempt at talks in Istanbul, brokered by Turkey, collapsed, leading to the strike authorization.
Risks of Wider War
Analysts warn of a “significant escalatory spiral.” Iran could retaliate by targeting US bases in the Gulf, Iraq, or Syria, where 40,000 US troops are stationed. Closing the Strait of Hormuz could spike oil prices, impacting global economies, including Canada’s energy sector. Iran’s proxies, like the Houthis in Yemen, have threatened US warships in the Red Sea, signaling potential multi-front escalation.
Global and Domestic Reactions
International Condemnation
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UN: Secretary-General António Guterres called the strikes a “dangerous escalation,” urging de-escalation to avoid “catastrophic consequences.”
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China: Condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
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Russia: President Vladimir Putin has no immediate plans to contact Trump, signaling restraint.
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UK: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Iran’s nuclear threat but urged diplomacy, warning of escalation “beyond the region.”
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Cuba, Chile, Venezuela: Condemned the strikes as violations of international law.
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US Political Divide
Top Republicans, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, supported Trump, calling the strikes a “clear reminder” of US strength. However, Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, accused Trump of bypassing Congress, violating the War Powers Act. Some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the move, saying, “This is not our fight.”
Public sentiment is mixed. A June 2025 Washington Post poll found 45% opposed US strikes on Iran, with 30% unsure. On X, users debated the strikes, with some praising Trump’s decisiveness and others fearing World War III.
Canada’s Perspective
As a NATO member and G7 nation, Canada faces indirect consequences. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not issued a statement, but Canada’s foreign policy emphasizes diplomacy and UN frameworks. Rising oil prices could strain Canadian consumers, while Middle East instability may impact Canada’s Iranian diaspora (over 200,000 strong). Canadian businesses in the energy sector should monitor Strait of Hormuz developments, as disruptions could affect exports.
Israel And Iran bombardment | Trump Warns , says he can ‘easily’ end conflict.
Implications for the Future
Iran’s Strategic Options
Iran faces a dilemma, per CNN analyst Barak Ravid:
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Diplomacy: Return to negotiations, risking domestic backlash for appearing weak.
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Retaliation: Launch missile strikes or disrupt oil routes, inviting further US and Israeli attacks.
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Proxy Warfare: Escalate via Houthis or other militias, prolonging the conflict.
Carnegie’s Karim Sadjadpour called the strikes a “traumatic, humiliating event” for Iran, predicting a response to “restore pride.”
Nuclear Program’s Fate
While Trump claims Iran’s nuclear ambitions are “obliterated,” experts doubt the program’s complete destruction. Fordow’s depth and Iran’s dispersed nuclear assets suggest resilience. The IAEA’s monitoring will be critical to assess long-term impacts.
Global Security and Canada
The strikes challenge the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), with Iran accusing the US of undermining it. For Canada, a staunch NPT supporter, this raises questions about global non-proliferation efforts. NATO obligations may also draw Canada into supporting US defenses if Iran retaliates, though direct involvement is unlikely.
Conclusion
Operation Midnight Hammer has reshaped the Middle East, with the US’s unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites escalating a volatile conflict. Trump’s bold claims of victory contrast with Iran’s vow of retaliation, setting the stage for a tense standoff. The 37-hour B-2 mission, a marvel of military precision, underscores US power but risks igniting a broader war. For Canadians, the stakes include economic ripple effects and diaspora concerns. Vucturenews.com will continue tracking this crisis, offering updates on Iran’s response and global fallout.