US Bombers Flew 37 Hours Non-Stop, Refuelled Mid-Air To Hit Iran Nuclear Sites
Washington:
US B-2 Spirit bombers flew non-stop for about 37 hours from Missouri to deliver what President Donald Trump called a "very successful attack" on Iran's nuclear programme early Sunday.
The stealth bombers, refuelling several times mid-air, struck three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
"Fordow is gone," Trump said, referring to the heavily fortified underground facility long considered Tehran's most secure nuclear site.
He praised the mission as an " amazing success" and warned Iran that they should "make peace immediately or they'll get hit again."
The strikes, carried out with a combination of bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, were the most direct US military action against Iran in years. Trump said six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, and around 30 Tomahawk missiles targeted other nuclear installations.
The Pentagon confirmed B-2 bombers were used in the attack, which came after days of rising tensions and a week of escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
On Saturday, the US had repositioned B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam. These aircraft are capable of deploying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy deeply buried targets like Fordow.
An Iranian official, cited by Tasnim news agency, confirmed damage to part of the Fordow site from "enemy airstrikes."
The US strike followed a series of Israeli operations on Iranian nuclear facilities in recent days. While Israel has successfully carried out covert operations in the past, experts believe it lacked the firepower to breach Fordow's defences.
Trump's decision to join the campaign marked a major escalation. "All US planes are safely on their way home," Trump posted on Truth Social, congratulating "our great American Warriors." He is expected to address the nation in a televised Oval Office speech later on the day.
The Israeli government said it coordinated closely with Washington, and Trump spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the strikes.
The attack comes after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran, claiming Tehran was weeks away from building a nuclear bomb. More than 400 people have reportedly died in Iran, and over 3,500 have been injured. In Israel, at least 14 people have been killed and over 1,200 injured in retaliatory missile strikes, the worst flare-up between the two adversaries in recent history.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Midnight Hammer' to Strait of Hormuz: 10 new developments after US bombs Iran's nuclear facilities
Tensions between the United States, Iran, and Israel escalated dramatically on Sunday after US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which President Donald Trump claimed had 'completely and fully obliterated' key sites. The attacks have triggered a deadly wave of retaliatory strikes, international condemnation, and fears of a wider regional war. On Saturday night, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US military had struck three of Iran's nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump declared the facilities 'completely and fully obliterated." Senior Pentagon officials on Sunday detailed a highly secretive and coordinated military operation against Iran, calling it a demonstration of American air and naval power at its most effective. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both spoke publicly, though neither could confirm whether Iran retained the ability to produce a nuclear weapon. Hegseth reiterated President Trump's claim from the previous night that the nuclear sites had been 'obliterated.' General Caine did not. Caine said a final battle damage assessment was still pending, but initial reports indicated that all three targeted Iranian nuclear sites had sustained 'severe damage and destruction.' A US official has confirmed that B-2 bombers flew non-stop for 37 hours from Missouri to carry out the strikes. The global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has said that there has been 'no radiation leak' from any nuclear facility in Pakistan after the escalated military engagement with India. The Vienna-based global nuclear watchdog's reply, to a query from The Indian Express, ties in with the earlier response by the Indian Air Force that India has not hit any target in Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which is reported to house some nuclear installations. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Sunday that he will travel to Moscow later in the day to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday morning. In a post on X, Araghchi condemned the United States, accusing it of a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. A representative of Iran's Supreme Leader said it is now Iran's turn to respond. He called for missile strikes on US naval forces in Bahrain and closure of the Strait of Hormuz to Western vessels. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned, 'They crossed a very big red line… We have to respond based on our legitimate right for self-defence." Several areas in central and northern Israel, including Nes Ziona, Rishon Lezion, Haifa, and a neighbourhood in Tel Aviv, were struck by Iranian missiles, according to Israeli state media and Fars News Agency. Videos show significant destruction in Tel Aviv. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the US to 'expect regrettable responses' in response to its strikes on Tehran's nuclear sites, state TV reported. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump, calling the strike 'a pivot of history.' UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of 'a dangerous escalation,' and Pakistan condemned the US strike. Oman, previously mediating talks, called the attack a 'serious violation of international law. Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, has also called for an emergency Security Council meeting. In a letter to the UN, he described the US strikes as 'heinous attacks and illegal use of force.' Russia has "strongly condemned" bombings, calling the attacks "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". Iran's Parliament has approved the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, though the final decision will be taken by the Supreme National Security Council, Iran's Press TV reported. The Strait is in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and accounts for a big bulk of the world's oil trade. Iran has in the past threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz on multiple occasions, but has never actually done it. The heightened risk of the closure is bound to raise concerns globally, including in India, particularly with regard to oil and gas supply security, and could lead to a jump in energy prices. India is the world's third-largest consumer of crude oil and depends on imports to meet over 85 per cent of its requirement. Israel closed its airspace as a precaution after the US strikes, though land crossings into Egypt and Jordan remain open, according to the Israel Airports Authority. Trump, speaking Sunday, said no military 'could have done what the US military has done.' He warned Iran of 'far greater' future attacks if it does not choose peace. 'There will either be peace or tragedy for Iran,' he said, adding that he acted 'as a team' with Netanyahu. The 'bunker buster' MOP is designed to attack 'deeply-buried facilities and hardened bunkers and tunnels' and is meant to destroy targets in well-protected facilities. Israel, or any country other than the US, does not have any non-nuclear weapon systems that can penetrate a site as deep as Fordow. A never-before-used American bomb — the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP — which is extremely heavy and can only be dropped using the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft of the US Air Force was used for the bombing. The latest strike seems to have achieved that target, even though the extent of damage at Fordow is still under speculation, primarily because of the depth of the enrichment site.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Marco Rubio warns Iran against closing Strait of Hormuz, calls it ‘economic suicide'; urges China to intervene\
US Secretary of State on Sunday cautioned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, calling it 'economic suicide,' and urged China to use its influence to dissuade Tehran amid rising tensions in the region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His remarks followed reports that Iran's parliament had approved a proposal to shut the vital waterway. 'If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it and we retain options to deal with that,' Rubio said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. He added, 'I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil.' The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with around 20% of global oil and gas supplies flowing through it. Its closure, Rubio warned, would be a 'massive escalation' and 'would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours.' Iran's Press TV reported earlier that while the parliament has passed the measure, the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council. Revolutionary Guards commander and lawmaker Esmail Kosari said, 'The closure of the strait is on the agenda and will be done whenever necessary.' The proposal comes amid heightened hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the US, with Washington recently launching airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Energy analysts warn that any disruption in the strait could trigger a sharp rise in global oil prices and worsen geopolitical instability. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a related comment on Iran's nuclear programme, Rubio said the US is still open to negotiations. 'The Iranian regime should wake up and say 'OK, if we really want nuclear energy in our country, there's a way to do it.' That offer's still there, we're prepared to talk to them tomorrow,' he said. Rubio reiterated that the US is willing to support Iran's civilian nuclear power ambitions, provided it does not enrich its own fuel. 'Ultimately, they have to make a decision... there are many countries that have nuclear reactors without enriching uranium,' he said.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Can Iran still get nuclear warheads? Russia's Dmitriy Medvedev says US strikes may backfire as Iran may now begin nuclear weapons production
After US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, Russia claimed the actions have led to increased support for Iran's nuclear program. Dmitriy Medvedev said multiple countries are now ready to assist Iran with nuclear warheads. Medvedev Reacts to US Strikes Dmitriy Medvedev posted on social media that the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites may have failed to meet their intended goal. He said instead of stopping Iran's nuclear plans, the strikes could cause the program to grow. Medvedev claimed Iran will continue enriching nuclear material and may now begin nuclear weapons production. He also said several countries are prepared to supply Iran with nuclear warheads. Medvedev shared that Iran's leadership has become more unified and stronger since the strikes. He added that citizens who had once opposed the government are now supporting its spiritual leadership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Also Read: What to Watch This Weekend: Here's the complete list Russia Condemns Military Action Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the US strikes. The ministry said that bombing another sovereign state's territory violates international law. It referred to the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions to support its claim. Live Events Russia also called the US actions irresponsible. The statement urged an immediate end to aggression. It asked world powers to return the issue to political and diplomatic discussions. Medvedev Comments on Iran's Stability Medvedev said the Iranian government has remained in control. He also said the leadership has gained wider public support. According to him, people in Iran are uniting around their spiritual leaders. This includes those who previously did not support the government. Medvedev currently serves as Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council. He served as president of Russia from 2008 to 2012. Also Read: Will US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites trigger oil prices rise? Here's how markets may react US and Russia Plan Discussion Later in the day, reports said US President Donald Trump was planning to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The phone call was expected to take place after the strikes on Iranian soil. FAQs Why did Medvedev say Iran would get nuclear warheads? Medvedev said US strikes caused other countries to support Iran. He claimed some are ready to give Iran nuclear warheads , which may strengthen its nuclear program. What was Russia's response to the US attacks? Russia condemned the strikes as illegal. It said they violated international law and called for the situation to return to diplomacy.
