Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’ Targets Iran’s Underground Nuclear Facilities

In a dramatic show of force, the United States launched a large-scale air assault on Iran’s underground nuclear sites, using B-2 stealth bombers to deliver 30,000-pound GBU-57/A Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs). The operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer, struck key Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

According to reports, twelve GBU-57/A bombs were dropped on Fordow, a facility deeply buried beneath a mountain near Qom. The bombs penetrated up to 70 feet of reinforced concrete before detonating underground. The U.S. deployed seven B-2 bombers and a total of 125 aircraft for the 18-hour mission, launching from Missouri and employing decoy strategies to avoid radar detection. In parallel, Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from a U.S. submarine to target Natanz and Isfahan, adding further firepower.

Iran Downplays Damage, Satellite Images Tell Another Story

While Iran’s nuclear authorities claimed minimal damage to Fordow — citing that the site had been evacuated before the attack — satellite imagery released afterward showed craters and blocked tunnel entrances, indicating substantial structural damage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that it has faced difficulty in assessing the full extent of the damage, particularly in the deeply buried sections of the facilities. Iran maintained that no radiation leaks had occurred.

India Reacts to U.S. Strike With Urgent Weapons Development

The U.S. strikes have sent shockwaves across global defense communities — particularly in India, which now finds itself under increased international pressure from China in the wake of the attack. In response, India is fast-tracking the development of advanced bunker-buster weapon systems through its Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

DRDO officials revealed that India is working on a high-impact conventional missile capable of destroying deep underground enemy bunkers, including nuclear weapon storage sites. The system is reportedly a modification of the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

India’s Next-Gen Bunker Buster May Surpass U.S. Capabilities

The upgraded missile is expected to carry a conventional 7,500-kg warhead and penetrate up to 80–100 meters (262–328 feet) of reinforced earth or concrete, potentially surpassing the destructive capability of the U.S. GBU-57/A.

“This strike has emphasized the need for such capabilities. Our system is designed for strategic deterrence,” said a senior DRDO scientist, speaking on condition of anonymity. The weapon system, once operational, could place India at the forefront of deep-penetration strike technology in the region.

India’s Strategic Intent: Deterrence and Regional Influence

The accelerated weapons development signals India’s intent to assert strategic dominance and bolster its defense preparedness amid regional tensions. It also highlights New Delhi’s broader ambition to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global military powers.

While the geopolitical consequences of the U.S. assault on Iran continue to unfold, India is making clear that it intends to be prepared for any eventuality, with strategic deterrence and cutting-edge weaponry as key priorities.

The post U.S. Stealth Bombers Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites; India Accelerates Bunker-Buster Missile Development appeared first on Odisha Connect.