In the wake of recent reports, former President Donald Trump has stepped forward to endorse the U.S. military’s decisive action targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. These reports have cast doubt on the success of the operation, sparking widespread discussion and debate.
During the past weekend, the former president initiated a calculated series of airstrikes, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, which involved attacking three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This mission brought together over 100 aircraft, including the advanced B-2 stealth bombers, showcasing a high-stakes, secretive military effort.
Initially, Trump praised the operation as an unparalleled success. However, differing evaluations have surfaced in the days following the strike.
Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, a prominent figure from the Middlebury Institute who speaks for the East Asia Nonproliferation Program, expressed skepticism about the strike’s effectiveness in a conversation with The Independent.
“While Fordow holds symbolic significance, it’s only one of many sites linked to Iran’s nuclear initiatives,” he noted. “The time lapse between planning and action likely gave Iran the chance to deactivate or relocate essential centrifuges.”
CNN shared that an early evaluation by the Defense Intelligence Agency appears to support these doubts. Informants aware of the classified findings disclosed that Iran’s uranium enrichment reserves remain substantial, hinting that additional military actions might be necessary to significantly impact the program.
The White House is standing firm against these allegations. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted the claims, branding them “completely incorrect” and blaming a “junior informant within the intelligence ranks” for endangering the mission’s credibility.
Leavitt asserted, “This operation was carried out without a hitch. Dropping fourteen 30,000-pound bombs right on target assures complete annihilation.”
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump criticized the media’s portrayal of the events, emphasizing: “FAKE NEWS CNN, WORKING WITH THE FAILING NEW YORK TIMES, IS TRYING TO BELITTLE ONE OF THE MOST TRIUMPHANT MILITARY STRIKES EVER.”
He further declared: “IRAN’S NUCLEAR FACILITIES ARE UTTERLY DESTROYED! BOTH THE TIMES AND CNN ARE FACING PUBLIC BACKLASH!”
Trump also condemned the press for ignoring the expertise of the pilots involved in the operation, according to reports by the BBC.
This clash over the operation’s success adds complexity to the delicate U.S.-Iran relations. With rising tensions and contradictory statements emerging from both sides, the consequences of Operation Midnight Hammer are still unfolding. The long-term repercussions of these military actions remain uncertain, casting a shadow on future diplomatic efforts.
