The Secret History Behind “Operation Midnight Hammer”: A Decades-Long Intelligence Triumph
The U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which shook the Middle East last week, were not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but the meticulously executed culmination of nearly two decades of covert intelligence gathering by an unassuming duo.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine revealed the astonishing details today, painting a picture of unparalleled dedication and precision.
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In a rare and candid Pentagon briefing, Gen. Caine unveiled the extraordinary story of two unnamed agents from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). For an astonishing 15 years, from 2009 until the recent strikes on June 21, these two operatives focused their entire professional lives on a single objective: the Fordow nuclear facility.
“DTRA is the world’s leading expert on deeply buried underground targets,” Caine emphasized. “For more than 15 years, this officer and his teammate lived and breathed this single target Fordow, a critical element of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons program.”
Their mission was one of near-total secrecy, with next to no one aware of their singular focus. They cataloged every conceivable detail of the Fordow site – from its intricate electrical and environmental systems to its overall layout and every vehicle entering and exiting. “They literally dreamed about this target at night when they slept,” Caine remarked, underscoring the operatives’ profound commitment.
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This unparalleled intelligence laid the groundwork for “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The DTRA duo, armed with their intimate knowledge of Fordow’s vulnerabilities, collaborated with munitions experts to develop the perfect weapon: the GBU-57, a purpose-made “bunker buster” bomb. After tireless testing, this became the weapon of choice.
On June 21, seven B-2 stealth bombers unleashed 14 GBU-57 bombs on both the Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites. Gen. Caine displayed a diagram of the Fordow site, highlighting the two ventilation shafts chosen as critical weak points.
The Iranians, aware of these vulnerabilities, had attempted to thwart an attack by plugging the shafts with concrete. However, the first wave of GBU-57s blew away these makeshift caps, allowing the remaining payload to deliver devastating damage.
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Despite a leaked, “low-confidence” preliminary intel report referenced by CNN suggesting minimal damage, U.S. and Israeli officials have consistently maintained the strikes inflicted “considerable damage” to Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, joining Gen. Caine, praised the pilots and all involved in the operation while sharply criticizing media outlets for “irresponsible” reporting on the leaked document.
“Operation Midnight Hammer was the culmination of those 15 years of incredible work,” Caine concluded, acknowledging the air crews, tanker crews, weapons crews, and load crews who brought this monumental plan to fruition. The revelation of this long-term, clandestine operation offers a compelling new perspective on the precision and strategic depth of the recent U.S. strikes.
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