A Successful “Operation Midnight Hammer”
Over the weekend, the United States executed precision airstrikes inside Iran, targeting key components of their nuclear infrastructure located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Reports suggest this has seriously crippled, and possibly destroyed, Iran’s chances at successfully building a nuclear weapon. Resembling President Reagan’s “Peace Through Strength” approach to foreign policy, these targeted strikes against Iran will hopefully bring stability to the region.
Weeks of negotiations aimed at defusing Iran’s nuclear weapons development program ended with no deal, and the authoritarian regime continuing to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. President Trump and his national security team gave Iran a chance by offering a 60-day window to make progress on a deal, which was refused by the regime. The reality we face is a simple one; a nation who chants “death to America” cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, and remaining complicit while they inch closer to achieving their goal was not an option.
“Operation Midnight Hammer” was carried out with incredible skill and precision. Seven B-2 stealth bombers, over 160 supporting aircraft, a powerful submarine, and hundreds of brave servicemembers delivered 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, or “bunker busters,” into Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Traveling over 7,000 miles from Whiteman Airforce Base to their targets, the B-2’s and their crews demonstrated the reach and capabilities of the U.S. military, unmatched by any other in the world.
Israel was essential to the operation carried out by the United States. When Israel discovered Iran was enriching weapons grade uranium, and was dangerously close to a weapon, they took matters into their own hands for their own defense. Without the Israel Defense Force’s elimination of Iranian military leaders, successful due to Mossad’s intelligence on their whereabouts, our servicemembers would not have had the opportunity to deliver the critical strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio made clear this weekend that what happens next is up to Iran, including a potential ceasefire being upheld. The United States will continue to support Israel and their right to self-defense, and the Ayatollah should reflect on this show of strength as a sign that the U.S. and allies in the region will not, under any circumstances, permit the regime to acquire nuclear weapons. This was not an act of war, but the prevention of a nuclear Iran, and by extension, a nuclear war in the Middle East.