Trump’s Secretive Decision: How the U.S. Launched Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
In a surprise move that stunned the world, former U.S. President Donald Trump authorised a major military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The operation, kept under tight wraps until it was executed, marks one of the most consequential decisions of Trump’s presidency — one that could reshape relations in the Middle East for years to come.
A Calm Evening in New Jersey, While Warplanes Prepared to Strike
On Friday evening, Trump appeared relaxed at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He mingled with guests, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, at a dinner event for new club members. Few realised that, at that very moment, a major military operation was already in motion.
B-2 stealth bombers loaded with 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs were preparing to take off from Missouri.
Their destinations: Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities.
Another fleet of planes headed in a different direction to create confusion and maintain secrecy.
Despite the magnitude of the decision, Trump appeared calm, even joking with Altman about artificial intelligence.
Operation “Midnight Hammer” Unfolds
Just 24 hours later, Trump watched live from the White House Situation Room, wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat. The strikes, codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” played out on large monitors in real time.
During a late-night address from the White House, Trump declared:
“The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If not, future attacks will be far greater.”
Why the U.S. Launched the Strikes
The decision came after weeks of tension and back-and-forth between the U.S., Iran, and its allies. Trump had publicly issued a two-week deadline for Iran to return to nuclear negotiations — a deadline that lasted only 48 hours before action was taken.
Key points behind the strike:
U.S. officials believed Iran was not ready to negotiate, following failed diplomatic efforts in Geneva.
Intelligence suggested that Israel was preparing to strike Iran unilaterally, with or without U.S. support.
Trump’s team aimed to deliver a decisive military blow without triggering a prolonged war.
Inside the White House Deliberations
Conversations about attacking Iran began earlier in June at Camp David, where Trump was briefed on potential Israeli military plans.
In the week leading up to the strike:
Trump met daily with national security advisers in the Situation Room.
Discussions focused on ensuring the strikes would significantly damage Iran’s nuclear capabilities without dragging the U.S. into another war.
Trump insisted on operational secrecy and gave the final go-ahead on Saturday.
General Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that months of planning went into the operation.
“It involved misdirection, precision, and the highest level of operational security,” said Hegseth at a Pentagon briefing.
Strike Details: An Unprecedented Show of Force
The scale and secrecy of the strike were unlike anything seen in recent years. According to U.S. military officials:
The operation began at midnight ET on Friday.
Seven stealth B-2 bombers flew 18-hour missions — the longest since the Iraq War.
Over 125 aircraft participated, including:
Refuelling tankers
Reconnaissance planes
Fighter jets
A U.S. submarine also launched over 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran’s Isfahan site.
By early Saturday morning in Iran, the strikes had hit:
Fordow nuclear facility
Natanz enrichment site
Isfahan surface infrastructure
U.S. officials reported “extremely severe damage” to all three locations, although Iran downplayed the impact.
Diplomacy That Failed to Deliver
The road to the strikes was paved with failed diplomatic efforts:
In April, Trump gave Iran a 60-day deadline to agree to a nuclear deal.
Talks in Oman between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi saw little progress.
European leaders attempted to mediate in Geneva, but Iran reportedly refused further engagement without Israel halting its attacks — something Trump refused to demand.
As day 61 of Trump’s deadline arrived, Israel launched its own strikes. Trump then followed suit.
Coordination with Allies – and Some Left in the Dark
While the U.S. informed Israel and a few Gulf allies about the imminent strike, coordination remained limited:
Israeli PM Netanyahu held a five-hour meeting during the U.S. attack.
Gulf partners were notified verbally that strikes were coming, but details were vague.
Trump informed top Republican leaders before the strike — but Democratic leaders were only notified once the planes had exited Iranian airspace.
Trump’s Warning and Iran’s Next Move
After the planes had left Iranian skies, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to confirm the attack:
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran… A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”
He warned Iran against retaliation, stating that future strikes would be “far greater and a lot easier.”
Conclusion: A Risky Gamble with Global Impact
Trump’s decision to attack Iran represents a bold and dangerous step in U.S. foreign policy. While the military action was swift and precise, its long-term consequences remain uncertain.
Will Iran respond with force? Will diplomacy be given another chance? Or has this operation set a new precedent for preemptive military action in the region?
One thing is clear: the former president has re-entered the international spotlight — and the world is watching what comes next.
Sources:
CNN reports on the strike and military briefings
Pentagon statements by Gen. Dan Caine and Sec. Pete Hegseth
NBC interview with Vice President JD Vance
Official statements from the White House and Truth S