The U.S. assault on Iran’s nuclear websites used to be a posh challenge that used decoy bombers and “misdirection” to hold out the name of the game operation, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a information convention Sunday morning.
Joint Chiefs of Team of workers Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, status with Hegseth, stated the challenge used to be a “complicated and high-risk challenge” that used to be recognized to only some other folks and depended on decoys to offer protection to the integrity of the challenge.
Decoy B-2 stealth bombers flew over the Pacific towards Guam on Saturday to attract consideration clear of the challenge, Caine stated. Information reviews on the time mirrored the actions.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine speaks right through a information convention on the Pentagon in Washington, June 22, 2025.
Alex Brandon/AP
However the B-2 stealth bombers in reality used within the challenge had been deployed previous and flew underneath the quilt of darkness for 18 hours to achieve their vacation spot on Saturday night, Caine stated.
The B-2s flew nonstop, refueling a couple of instances in flight in what become the longest flight involving the fleet since 2001, he added.
“It took a substantial amount of precision. It concerned misdirection and the very best of operational safety,” Hegseth stated, including that the B-2s went “out and in and again with out the sector understanding in any respect.”
Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Team of workers Air Power Normal Dan Caine hang a briefing on the Pentagon, after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear amenities, right through the Israel-Iran struggle, in Arlington, Virginia, June 22, 2025.
U.S. Dod by the use of Reuters
A complete of 14 bunker buster bombs had been dropped — with the primary two brought to 2 a.m., Iran time. The assault additionally concerned a U.S. submarine that introduced greater than two dozen Tomahawk land assault cruise missiles at key floor goals.
“Right through the challenge, we maintained the component of wonder,” Caine stated.
Iran didn’t deploy opponents or floor to air missiles right through the challenge, Caine stated — a sign that Iran used to be stuck off guard through the assault as smartly.
ABC Information’ Anne Flaherty and Luis Martinez contributed to this record.
