US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called the attack on Iran a success with ‘severe damage and destruction’

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says Midnight Hammer “did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people” with a senior Air Force general warning it would be an “incredibly poor choice” for Iran and its proxies to retaliate.

The US launched overnight strikes on three Iranian facilities — Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow — joining Israel’s push to cripple Tehran’s nuclear program.

In an address to media at the Pentagon on Sunday evening (Australian time), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine outlined the operation and said all three nuclear sites sustained “extremely severe damage and destruction”.

“At midnight Friday into Saturday morning, a large B-2 strike package comprised of bombers launched from the continental United States,” he said.

“As part of a plan to maintain tactical surprise, part of the package proceeded to the West and into the Pacific as a decoy; a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners and key leaders here in Washington and in Tampa.

“The main strike package, comprised of seven B-2 spirit bombers, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east with minimal communications.

“Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed manoeuvre requiring exact synchronisation across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications.

“At approximately 5pm EST last night, and just prior to the strike package entering Iran, a US submarine in the Central Command Area of Responsibility launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles against key surface infrastructure targets at Isfahan.

“As the operation Midnight Hammer strike package entered Iranian airspace, the US employed several deception tactics including decoys as the fourth and fifth generation aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed.”

Mr Caine said the US dropped two GBU-57 series MOP weapons on “several aim points” at Isfahan at about 6.40pm EST.

“The remaining bombers then hit their targets as well, with a total of 14 MOPs dropped against two nuclear target areas,” he said.

Mr Caine said all three nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6.40pm and 7.05pm EST.

“The Tomahawk missiles (were) the last to strike at Isfahan to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation,” he said.

“Following weapons release, the Midnight Hammer strike package exited Iranian airspace and the package began its return home.

“We are unaware of any shots fired at the package on the way out ... we retained the element of surprise.”

Mr Caine said the US deployed up to 125 aircrafts and 75 precision guided weapons.

“This included fourteen 30,000 pound GBU-57 MOPs marking the first ever operational use of this weapon,” he said.

“Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.

“More than 125 US aircraft participated in this mission including B-2 stealth bombers, multiple flights of fourth and fifth generation fighters, dozens of air refuelling tankers, a guided missile submarine and a full array of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as hundreds of maintenance and operational professionals.”

Mr Caine said the US remained on “high alert” and was “fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks” — a move he warned would be “an incredibly poor choice”.

“We will defend ourselves,” he said.

“The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.

“This mission demonstrates the unmatched reach co-ordination and capability of the United States military.”

Mr Hegseth said the attack had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear ambitions but said it “did not attack Iranian troops or the Iranian people”.

“We devastated the Iranian nuclear program but it’s worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people,” he said.

“For the entirety of his time in office, President Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon.

“Thanks to President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.”