Decoys, bunker-busters and stealth bombers: How America attacked Iran

The Age

4 hours ago

The US strikes that targeted Iran's nuclear sites involved a decoy mission aimed at drawing attention from flight trackers as the largest-ever deployment of B-2 stealth bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs for the first time in combat.
The operation – dubbed 'Midnight Hammer' – was detailed by top Pentagon officials on Sunday night (AEST). They described an extensive operation that included 125 aircraft overall, strikes by Tomahawk missiles launched from a US submarine and the use of 14 massive ordnance penetrator – or bunker-buster – bombs.
The heart of the 37-hour operation was a feint in which a group of B-2 bombers flew west across the Pacific Ocean as decoys to maintain tactical surprise, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
News reports on Saturday morning that picked up on flight-tracker data suggested those planes were being deployed as a way to strong-arm Iran into fresh talks on its nuclear program.
While those planes got all the attention, another group of B-2s flew east carrying the bunker-busters.
The officials said dozens of air-refuelling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and fourth- and fifth-generation fighters were involved in the attack, which struck nuclear Iran's facilities at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.
The briefing helped explain other data points that emerged in recent days, including a massive move by midair refuelling tankers last week that was widely reported at the time. The White House had promised on Thursday that President Donald Trump would make a decision on a strike 'within two weeks,' suggesting there might be more time.
In the end, the operation on Sunday (AEST) was deemed a success by the Pentagon. No Americans were lost and Iran didn't fire at any of the US military assets, according to the officials.