President Donald Trump on Thursday (19), publicly announced he would decide “within the next two weeks” whether the US would join Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran.
This statement, delivered with characteristic bravado, was widely interpreted as a diplomatic pause—an opportunity for negotiations or, at the very least, a warning to Tehran. However, as later reporting revealed, this timeline was a calculated smokescreen. Even as Trump spoke, the White House was secretly finalizing plans for a massive military strike against Iran’s nuclear program.
Secret Planning: Operation Midnight Hammer Takes Shape
Behind the scenes, the decision to strike had already been made. According to senior officials and reporting from The Washington Post, Trump’s public “two weeks” was designed to throw off Iranian intelligence and buy operational security for the mission.
The plan, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, was known only to a select group of top US officials. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later described the mission as “highly classified,” with “very few people in Washington” aware of its timing or scope.
As Trump publicly weighed his options, he was simultaneously directing military leaders to prepare for a precision assault. The Pentagon’s goal: to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities while avoiding a wider regional war. Trump repeatedly pressed his advisers to keep the mission narrow, seeking to avoid civilian casualties or the appearance of regime change.
The Final Go-Ahead: Diplomacy Fails, Strike Launched
Throughout the week, diplomatic efforts continued. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff maintained back-channel communications with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while European officials attempted to broker a last-minute deal.
But by Friday (20), it was clear that talks were going nowhere. “He knew there probably wouldn’t be a breakthrough, which is why the Pentagon was putting together a plan,” a senior official told The Washington Post.
Vice president JD Vance, known for his skepticism of military entanglements, urged caution but ultimately supported the operation as Israeli airstrikes had degraded Iran’s air defenses, widening the window for a successful US attack.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt were among the small circle read in on the plan.
The Operation: Largest B-2 Bomber Strike in History
On June 21, 2025, as Trump maintained a normal public schedule, the US military launched Operation Midnight Hammer—the largest B-2 operational strike in American history.
Seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, supported by more than 125 aircraft including fighter escorts, refueling tankers, and surveillance planes, took off from Missouri on a 37-hour round-trip mission to Iran. The operation also included submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles and marked the combat debut of the GBU-57 “bunker-buster,” designed to destroy deeply buried targets.
The primary targets were Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—facilities critical to Iran’s uranium enrichment program and built deep underground to withstand attack. The strikes were timed with precision: all three sites were hit between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. EST, or about 2:10 a.m. local time in Iran. The Pentagon reported “extremely severe damage and destruction” to all targeted sites, though full assessments are ongoing.
Secrecy and Coordination: Israel’s Role
Operation Midnight Hammer was meticulously coordinated with Israel, whose own air campaign had already weakened Iranian air defenses and diverted attention. US officials communicated with Iran through diplomatic channels shortly before the attack, assuring Tehran that the strikes were limited in scope and not intended as a prelude to regime change.
The mission’s secrecy was so tightly maintained that many senior officials, including some at the Pentagon, only learned of the operation after it was underway or completed. Trump’s announcement on social media came just 20 minutes after the last bomb fell.
Aftermath: Strategic Impact and Global Reactions
The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in the US-Iran confrontation, with Trump declaring Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities “completely and totally obliterated”. The White House presented the operation as a demonstration of “peace through strength,” signaling both resolve and restraint. While the US insisted the attack was a one-off, Trump warned that “if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets”.
Iran’s immediate response was muted, with officials vowing retaliation but taking no direct military action against US forces in the hours following the strike. Military bases worldwide were placed on high alert, and oil markets braced for potential disruption.
Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble
Operation Midnight Hammer showcased the Trump administration’s willingness to blend public posturing with secret military planning. The “two weeks” bluff provided crucial cover for a complex, high-risk mission, while the rapid execution and overwhelming force sent a clear message to both adversaries and allies. As the world waits for Iran’s next move, the legacy of this operation—and the strategy behind it—will shape US-Iran relations for years to come
