Trump Unleashes 'Midnight Hammer': US Strikes Devastate Iran's Nuclear Sites

Paul Riverbank, 6/24/2025Trump orders massive US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, sparking international crisis.

I've covered Middle Eastern politics for three decades, and this assault marks an unprecedented escalation. American B-2 bombers, accompanied by over a hundred support aircraft, targeted facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. While Trump lauded the operation as a "spectacular military success," my sources in Tehran paint a more nuanced picture of the damage inflicted.

The timing couldn't be more precarious. Since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, the region has teetered on a knife's edge. Now, with American bombs falling on Iranian soil, we're witnessing the unraveling of decades of careful diplomacy.

The domestic political fallout has been swift and messy. Democratic leadership is crying foul over what they view as inadequate consultation. When I spoke with congressional staffers this morning, they described a chaotic notification process. The White House claims they made bipartisan calls, but House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insists he received only a perfunctory heads-up lacking any substantive detail.

What's particularly striking is the administration's legal justification. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cited Article II powers – a familiar refrain when presidents push the boundaries of military authority. But several constitutional scholars I consulted today expressed serious reservations about this interpretation.

Moscow's reaction adds another layer of complexity. Former Russian President Medvedev's warning about nuclear proliferation isn't just saber-rattling – it reflects genuine concern about strategic stability. His criticism of Trump as a "peacemaker president" who "started a new war" carries particular weight given Russia's own complicated relationship with Tehran.

Iran's response has been predictably defiant. "Gambler Trump, you can start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," declared spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari. Having interviewed Iranian officials extensively over the years, I can attest that such statements typically precede calculated retaliation rather than immediate action.

The ripple effects are already apparent. Traditional alliances are shifting, and intelligence sources warn of increased activity among Iranian-linked networks within the U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie's push to curtail executive war powers may gain unexpected traction, even among his Republican colleagues.

Looking ahead, the strategic calculus becomes increasingly complex. Iran's nuclear program, while damaged, isn't eliminated. Regional partners are reassessing their positions. And the specter of asymmetric warfare looms large over American interests worldwide.

As this crisis unfolds, one thing becomes clear: the rules of engagement in the Middle East have fundamentally changed. The coming days will test not just military capabilities, but the very framework of international order that's governed the region for generations.

The Middle East's fragile security architecture shattered overnight as U.S. forces executed a sweeping strike against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The operation – which the Pentagon dubbed "Midnight Hammer" – represents President Trump's most audacious military gambit yet.I've covered Middle Eastern politics for three decades, and this assault marks an unprecedented escalation. American B-2 bombers, accompanied by over a hundred support aircraft, targeted facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. While Trump lauded the operation as a "spectacular military success," my sources in Tehran paint a more nuanced picture of the damage inflicted.The timing couldn't be more precarious. Since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, the region has teetered on a knife's edge. Now, with American bombs falling on Iranian soil, we're witnessing the unraveling of decades of careful diplomacy.The domestic political fallout has been swift and messy. Democratic leadership is crying foul over what they view as inadequate consultation. When I spoke with congressional staffers this morning, they described a chaotic notification process. The White House claims they made bipartisan calls, but House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insists he received only a perfunctory heads-up lacking any substantive detail.What's particularly striking is the administration's legal justification. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cited Article II powers – a familiar refrain when presidents push the boundaries of military authority. But several constitutional scholars I consulted today expressed serious reservations about this interpretation.Moscow's reaction adds another layer of complexity. Former Russian President Medvedev's warning about nuclear proliferation isn't just saber-rattling – it reflects genuine concern about strategic stability. His criticism of Trump as a "peacemaker president" who "started a new war" carries particular weight given Russia's own complicated relationship with Tehran.Iran's response has been predictably defiant. "Gambler Trump, you can start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," declared spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari. Having interviewed Iranian officials extensively over the years, I can attest that such statements typically precede calculated retaliation rather than immediate action.The ripple effects are already apparent. Traditional alliances are shifting, and intelligence sources warn of increased activity among Iranian-linked networks within the U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie's push to curtail executive war powers may gain unexpected traction, even among his Republican colleagues.Looking ahead, the strategic calculus becomes increasingly complex. Iran's nuclear program, while damaged, isn't eliminated. Regional partners are reassessing their positions. And the specter of asymmetric warfare looms large over American interests worldwide.As this crisis unfolds, one thing becomes clear: the rules of engagement in the Middle East have fundamentally changed. The coming days will test not just military capabilities, but the very framework of international order that's governed the region for generations.