WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration on Thursday defended recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, describing the operation as a successful mission that significantly impaired Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
Senior administration officials responded to media reports questioning the effectiveness of the operation, accusing outlets of misrepresenting intelligence assessments.
The strikes, conducted over the previous weekend and designated as Operation Midnight Hammer, involved seven B-2 Spirit bombers.
The aircraft deployed more than 75 precision-guided weapons, including 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, according to the Pentagon. The primary target was the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, an underground site considered central to Iran’s nuclear program.
President Donald Trump addressed the operation during a press conference at the NATO Summit, calling the mission a “resounding success.”
“Some outlets are trying to downplay what our brave men and women in uniform achieved,” Trump said. “It’s fake news and a disservice to the truth.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined the president in asserting the mission’s success.
During a separate briefing, both officials emphasized the operation’s strategic precision, noting that planning had been underway for more than 15 years.
“The targets were struck with accuracy. Our bombers returned without incident. This was a flawless execution of a complex operation,” Gen. Caine said.
The administration’s remarks followed multiple media reports citing unnamed intelligence sources. These reports indicated that while the strikes damaged key infrastructure, they may not have fully neutralized Iran’s ability to resume nuclear activities. The assessments raised questions about the long-term effectiveness and regional implications of the operation.
Sources familiar with the mission confirmed that the bombers operated undetected, using stealth technology to avoid radar detection and minimize collateral damage. No civilian casualties were reported.
The operation marks one of the most extensive uses of massive ordnance penetrators by the U.S. Air Force in recent years. Officials said the attack aimed to send a strong deterrent message to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions.
The Trump administration continues to position the strike as a crucial measure in limiting Iran’s nuclear development. No formal response from the Iranian government has been issued regarding the reported damage at the Fordo facility.
