Washington, DC, June 22 - The United States, on June 21, 2025, conducted a significant military operation involving B-2 Spirit stealth bombers targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that the B-2 bombers were deployed to strike key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. This operation, announced by President Donald Trump, represents the first direct U.S. military intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict, which has intensified over the past week with exchanges of airstrikes. The decision to deploy B-2 bombers, capable of carrying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), underscores the strategic intent to neutralize deeply buried and fortified targets, particularly the Fordow facility, which is embedded in a mountainside near Qom.
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The B-2 Spirit, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a cornerstone of U.S. airpower, known for its advanced stealth capabilities and ability to penetrate sophisticated air defenses. With a range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, and further extended by aerial refueling, the B-2 can strike targets globally from its home base at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The aircraft’s capacity to carry two GBU-57 bombs, designed to penetrate up to 200 feet of earth or concrete before detonating, made it the ideal platform for targeting Iran’s hardened nuclear infrastructure. Reports indicate that six of these bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, with an additional 30 Tomahawk missiles striking Natanz and Isfahan, aiming to dismantle Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.
President Trump, in a brief address from the White House, described the operation as a “spectacular military success,” claiming that Iran’s key nuclear facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.” He emphasized the objective of eliminating the nuclear threat posed by Iran, which he labeled the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. The Pentagon scheduled a press conference for June 22, 2025, led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, to provide further details on the operation. Israeli officials, who were informed in advance of the strikes, expressed support, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the action a historic moment that could “change history.”
The strikes follow a week of Israeli airstrikes that have degraded Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities, creating an opportunity for the U.S. to target the heavily fortified nuclear sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran’s nuclear agency acknowledged the attacks but insisted its nuclear work would continue. Iran has vowed to retaliate, raising concerns about a broader regional conflict. The deployment of B-2 bombers, which took off from Whiteman Air Force Base and were supported by KC-135 Stratotankers for midair refueling, highlights the U.S.’s global strike capabilities. While no U.S. casualties were reported, the operation’s long-term implications remain uncertain as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.