Trump's Iran attack was ferocious. But has it worked?
'OPERATION MIDNIGHT HAMMER', as America called its strike on Iran, was a vast raid involving more than 125 military aircraft. It was the largest-ever strike by B-2 stealth bombers, and the first use in battle of the GBU-57, America's largest bunker-buster bomb. Seven bombers flew east over the Atlantic from Whiteman air-force base in Missouri on the 37-hour mission to Iran and back, helped by in-flight refuelling tankers and fighter jets to sweep the skies ahead of them. Decoy planes flew west over the Pacific to confuse anyone watching their movement. Dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles were also fired at Iran from submarines. Iranian forces did not respond. The scope and scale of the operation would 'take the breath away' of most observers, boasted Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Iran told shutting down oil 'choke point' would be 'economic suicide'
The US has warned Iran that closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to American strikes on its nuclear sites would be 'economic suicide' as the UK is warned it could be hit hard Iran has been warned that shutting down a crucial Middle East oil "choke point" following US strikes on its nuclear facilities would be tantamount to "economic suicide", as reported by The Telegraph. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Iran's allies, including China, to exert pressure on Tehran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, stating that any closure would be a "terrible mistake". "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil," Mr Rubio said during an interview with Fox News. "If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours," he continued. In retaliation for US strikes, Iranian lawmakers have voted to obstruct vital shipping routes through this key waterway after Donald Trump decided to engage in the conflict between Israel and Iran, reports the Express. However, the vote by the Iranian parliament is not definitive, and state television has emphasised that the ultimate decision lies with Iran's top security officials, Reuters reports. The narrow strait, situated within Iranian territorial waters, is considered the most critical oil transit choke point globally, with approximately one-fifth of all worldwide oil supplies and a third of liquefied natural gas passing through it. Any efforts to disrupt maritime traffic by deploying mines or missiles could trigger a global oil crisis, skyrocket inflation rates and potentially plunge the economy into a downturn. On Sunday, specialists cautioned that such a move to shut the strait might also elicit "a significant military response" from both the United States and its allies. Eurasia Group, a leading consultancy in political risk, advised clients: "The US has amassed a massive military presence in the Gulf and surrounding region, and a move by Iran against the strait would almost certainly trigger a significant military response." Ami Daniel, CEO of maritime data company Windward, noted that even the mere "perception" of an Iranian assault on shipping could reduce maritime traffic to a mere trickle. He further remarked: "People are talking about whether they block the Strait of Hormuz, but how about if they just make it very dangerous to go through?". "Commercial shipping is not the Navy. They don't have to go. So actually, even just increasing the risk to go there will gradually make a big difference versus blocking it completely." As anxieties mount regarding a fresh oil emergency, countless drivers could be hit with soaring fuel costs at the filling stations. The UK, which relies on imports for roughly half its oil supply, stands to be particularly exposed. Following President Trump's ultimatum giving Iran two weeks to start talks, crude oil settled around $77 a barrel last Friday, as market players speculated that any immediate conflict was likely to be averted. Amidst escalating tension, market analysts are bracing for a surge in prices come Monday, as the "risk barometer" skyrockets. There's chatter that we could be looking at $100 a barrel or even higher on the horizon.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Trump calls for ‘regime change' to ‘make Iran great again' after ‘monumental' nuke blitz as Tehran vows to revenge
DONALD Trump has floated the idea of a regime change in Tehran to "Make Iran Great Again" after bombing the Islamic Republic. Less than a day after the US military blitzed three key facilities central to the Iranians' nuclear ambitions, Trump hinted that the Mullahs' regime could well be toppled. 3 3 3 Inspired by his Make America Great Again (MAGA) political movement, the president called for "Make Iran Great Again" (MIGA) - and hinted that the autocratic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be ousted. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" Trump's post came despite his MAGA administration repeatedly saying the US is not looking for a regime change in Iran. Though the Israelis have expressed great interest in toppling the top Islamist leadership in Tehran, something they think would bring peace in the Middle East. Trump's No2 JD Vance yesterday said that the administration's view "has been very clear that we don't want a regime change." He told NBC 's Meet The Press: "We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it's already been built out. We want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here." Speaking of the US bombings in Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: "This mission was not and has not been about regime change." Trump last night hailed the US military bombing on Iran's key nuclear facilities, saying the strikes "obliterated" Tehran's doomsday program. He said that the US military took the "bomb out of Iran's hands" and caused "monumental" damage to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. But the Islamic Republic - hurt and wounded - has vowed to retaliate by striking US targets in the Middle East. Tehran retaliated to the US bombing by approving steps to close the Strait of Hormuz - a bottleneck entrance to the Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through narrow waters. Attempting to choke off Gulf oil by closing the strait could send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the world economy. It would also invite an almost certain conflict with the US Navy 's massive Fifth Fleet based in the Gulf, which is tasked with keeping it open. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation. 'Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,' he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. 'America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.' Tehran has so far not followed through on its threats of retaliation against the US - either by targeting its military bases or trying to choke off global oil supplies. But that may not hold up. Trump warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn't agree to an adequate peace deal, or tries to harm American interests. He said in a nationally televised speech at the White House: " Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier." "There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days."
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Trump calls for ‘regime change' to ‘make Iran great again' after ‘monumental' nuke blitz as Tehran vows to revenge
DON'S MIGA CALL Trump calls for 'regime change' to 'make Iran great again' after 'monumental' nuke blitz as Tehran vows to revenge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump has floated the idea of a regime change in Tehran to "Make Iran Great Again" after bombing the Islamic Republic. Less than a day after the US military blitzed three key facilities central to the Iranians' nuclear ambitions, Trump hinted that the Mullahs' regime could well be toppled. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 United States President Donald J Trump addressed the nation after bombing Iran Credit: AP 4 Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be toppled, Trump suggested 4 Crowds holding Iranian flags gather in the Revolution Square in the capital Credit: Getty 4 Inspired by his Make America Great Again (MAGA) political movement, the president called for "Make Iran Great Again" (MIGA) - and hinted that the autocratic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be ousted. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" Trump's post came despite his MAGA administration repeatedly saying the US is not looking for a regime change in Iran. Though the Israelis have expressed great interest in toppling the top Islamist leadership in Tehran, something they think would bring peace in the Middle East. Trump's No2 JD Vance yesterday said that the administration's view "has been very clear that we don't want a regime change." He told NBC's Meet The Press: "We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it's already been built out. We want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here." Speaking of the US bombings in Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: "This mission was not and has not been about regime change." Trump last night hailed the US military bombing on Iran's key nuclear facilities, saying the strikes "obliterated" Tehran's doomsday program. He said that the US military took the "bomb out of Iran's hands" and caused "monumental" damage to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. But the Islamic Republic - hurt and wounded - has vowed to retaliate by striking US targets in the Middle East. Tehran retaliated to the US bombing by approving steps to close the Strait of Hormuz - a bottleneck entrance to the Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through narrow waters. Attempting to choke off Gulf oil by closing the strait could send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the world economy. It would also invite an almost certain conflict with the US Navy's massive Fifth Fleet based in the Gulf, which is tasked with keeping it open. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation. 'Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,' he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. 'America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.' Tehran has so far not followed through on its threats of retaliation against the US - either by targeting its military bases or trying to choke off global oil supplies. But that may not hold up. Trump warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn't agree to an adequate peace deal, or tries to harm American interests. He said in a nationally televised speech at the White House: "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier." "There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days." Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...
