While the precision and scale of the strike have become the focal points of international media and political discourse, the way the mission unfolded reflected not just a show of military might but also a web of strategic deception and tightly-held secrecy. Pentagon officials confirmed that only a limited circle within Washington was aware of the timing or the nature of the mission in advance.

“Last night, on President Trump’s orders, U.S. Central Command conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program,”
Defense Secretary Hegseth stated at the Pentagon podium.

He emphasized that the operation also served a broader geopolitical message to the world.

“The mission demonstrated to the world the level of joint and allied integration that speaks to the strength of our alliance and our joint forces,”
he added.

From a tactical perspective, the operation was intricate. Gen. Caine offered insight into the military elements that were deployed, painting a picture of coordinated action across land, sea, and air. According to Caine, submarines stationed in the U.S. Central Command’s operational zone launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles just before the primary aerial strike began.

“At approximately 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time last night… a U.S. submarine… launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles against key surface infrastructure targets,”
Caine explained, adding that multiple deception tactics were used.

Caine also disclosed that the B-2 Spirit bombers involved in the operation executed what is believed to be the longest mission since 2001. Some of the aircraft were sent westward as decoys—toward the Pacific—misleading observers into thinking a strike was not imminent.

“It was an incredible and overwhelming success,”
Hegseth affirmed, noting that no Iranian troops or civilians were targeted in the mission.
“The order we received from our commander-in-chief was focused. It was powerful. And it was clear: we devastated the Iranian nuclear program.”

Hours later, President Trump addressed the nation in a televised speech from the White House, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Hegseth himself. The president confirmed that the strikes had completely disabled Iran’s ability to enrich uranium at the three targeted facilities.

“Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,”
Trump declared.
“And Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier.”

The president emphasized that diplomacy was offered numerous times prior to the strike, but Iran failed to return to the negotiation table, pulling out of talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman. The decision to act militarily, he said, came after repeated provocations and Israel’s pre-emptive strikes earlier this month on June 12.

“A short time ago, the U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan,”
he said.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity, and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”

President Trump also detailed the operation’s deceptive elements during a interview , revealing that six B-2 bombers seen flying toward Guam were intentionally used to mislead potential observers.

It was confirmed that the strategic use of misinformation.

“Those six B-2 bombers that were heading west toward Guam… would not have made it to Iran in time to take part in this strike,”
Griffin said, noting that this helped obscure the actual operation.

While many lawmakers applauded the bold move to counter Iran’s nuclear capabilities, others voiced criticism over the president’s unilateral decision-making and the absence of Congressional authorization. Concerns were also raised about potential regional escalation and long-term diplomatic fallout.

Iran has so far not issued an official statement through its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed frustration over the collapse of diplomatic efforts.

“Last week, we were in negotiations with the U.S. when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, the U.S. decided to blow up that diplomacy,”
Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He also confirmed plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, reinforcing Iran’s “strategic partnership” with Russia.

Despite the escalation, Hegseth reiterated that the United States continues to pursue a peaceful resolution.

“As the president put out last night, he wants peace,”
he said.
“There needs to be a negotiated settlement here. We ultimately demonstrated that Iran cannot have a nuclear capability. That is a very clear mission set on this operation.”

Hegseth also confirmed that behind-the-scenes efforts to open diplomatic channels are ongoing.

“I can only confirm that there are both public and private messages being directly delivered to the Iranians in multiple channels,”
he noted.
“They understand precisely what the American position is… and we hope they do so.”

As the dust settles, the world watches closely. Whether the strikes become the catalyst for renewed peace talks—or ignite further conflict in an already volatile region—remains uncertain. But one thing is now undeniable: Iran’s nuclear program has been dealt a powerful and deliberate blow.