Iran's nuclear sites 'severely damaged' after operation of 125 warplanes - top US general | BBC News

Summary

The transcript details a US military operation, 'Midnight Hammer,' targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Kaine, described the operation as highly successful, with precision strikes that used advanced aircraft, including B2 bombers, and powerful bunker-buster bombs. Despite the claims of devastating effects, officials noted ongoing assessments of the damage. Iran condemned the strikes, emphasizing violations of international law and sovereignty. The event highlights the complex interplay between military power, international diplomacy, and regional security concerns.

Takeaways

• 😀 The US military operation, *Operation Midnight Hammer*, targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan.
• 😀 The operation involved a large-scale military deployment, including 125 aircraft, submarines, and 14 massive ordinance penetrators (MOPs), also known as bunker-busters.
• 😀 The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegsth, described the operation as 'focused, powerful, and clean', claiming it severely degraded Iran's nuclear program.
• 😀 The US military used a combination of deception tactics, including decoy aircraft and anti-radiation missiles, to suppress Iranian air defenses.
• 😀 The US claimed that no shots were fired by Iranian forces during the operation, highlighting its effectiveness and minimal resistance.
• 😀 There was no immediate independent verification of the operation’s success, and the battle damage assessment (BDA) is still ongoing.
• 😀 The Iranian government condemned the strikes as a violation of international law and sovereignty, accusing the US of aggression in collaboration with Israel.
• 😀 The US military emphasized air superiority and overwhelming force, framing the operation as a demonstration of military power, despite President Trump’s campaign promises to avoid foreign conflicts.
• 😀 The operation was coordinated with Israeli allies, suggesting joint efforts in targeting critical Iranian infrastructure.
• 😀 The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Arachi, called the strikes an act of 'genocidal aggression' and criticized President Trump for betraying his commitment to peace and diplomacy.

Q & A

What is the US military operation described in the transcript?

The US military operation is called 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' which targeted three nuclear sites in Iran, using a combination of airstrikes and precision-guided missiles.

How does the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegsth, describe the operation?

Secretary Hegsth describes the operation as focused, powerful, and clean, claiming it devastated the Iranian nuclear program.

What role did Israel play in the operation?

The operation was closely arranged with US allies in Israel, suggesting coordination between the two nations in planning and execution.

How did the US military ensure the operation was carried out undetected?

General Kaine explained that the operation was executed with exceptional skill, using deception tactics, such as sending aircraft ahead to confuse Iranian defense systems, and no shots were fired by the Iranians.

What was the main strategy behind using the B2 bombers and bunker busters?

The B2 bombers, carrying GBU57 massive ordinance penetrators (bunker busters), were used to target underground facilities in Iran, including the Fordo enrichment site, which is located 60 meters below ground.

How was the battle damage assessment (BDA) handled after the operation?

The battle damage assessment was still ongoing at the time of the press conference, with no independent verification or imagery of the damage available. The US claimed that the targets had been severely degraded, but there was no confirmation of complete destruction.

Why was there no imagery provided of the operation?

The lack of imagery or video footage was noted as unusual, with the explanation that bomb damage assessments had not been completed, particularly for the underground sites, making it harder to verify the extent of the damage.

What did the Iranian Foreign Minister say about the US strikes?

Iran’s Foreign Minister condemned the US strikes, calling them a violation of international law and accusing the US of hostility toward Iran's sovereignty, aligning with Israel's actions. He also stated that Iran would defend its territory by all means necessary.

How did the US handle notifications to Congress about the operation?

Secretary Hegsth mentioned that the Congressional leadership was notified in the immediate aftermath of the operation, once American pilots were out of Iranian airspace, which was considered late compared to typical procedures.

What were the Iranian government's claims about the nuclear program after the attack?

The Iranian government claimed that the nuclear program had been significantly affected, but emphasized that much of the enriched uranium had already been moved, making it unclear what was damaged during the strikes.