B-12 Bombers (File)
International News: U.S. B-2 stealth bombers completed a staggering 37-hour non-stop flight, delivering a catastrophic blow to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Launched from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, the mission targeted Natanz, Esfahan, and Fordow, obliterating Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. This unprecedented operation, announced by President Donald Trump, marks a turning point in the Israel-Iran conflict.
The B-2 Spirit bombers, known for their stealth capabilities, covered over 11,400 kilometers, refueled mid-air by KC-135 and KC-46 tankers multiple times. Each bomber carried Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, with six 30,000-pound bunker-busters dropped on Fordow’s underground facility alone. The strikes, executed at 2:00 AM local time in Iran, caught Tehran’s defenses off guard, leaving no time for retaliation.
Natanz’s centrifuge halls, Esfahan’s conversion plant, and Fordow’s fortified site were reduced to rubble, with over 400 personnel, including 10 scientists, killed. Iran’s state media reported widespread damage, admitting the loss of critical infrastructure. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “severe response,” but analysts suggest Iran’s diminished capacity limits immediate counterattacks.
The operation, aligned with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” followed months of intelligence sharing. Israel’s prior strikes on Iran’s military leadership weakened Tehran’s defenses, paving the way for the B-2s’ decisive blow. The U.S. action, authorized under Trump’s directive to counter Iran’s alleged nuclear threat, has drawn mixed global reactions. While Israel and Gulf allies praised the strike, Russia and China condemned it, warning of regional escalation.
The UN Security Council plans an emergency meeting as global leaders urge de-escalation. For Tehran, the loss of its nuclear program is a disaster, leaving it vulnerable and humiliated on the world stage.
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