Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided insights into President Donald Trump's recent military operation, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday. General Caine explained that the operation required extensive planning and coordination, taking months to prepare. He confirmed that during the airstrike, the U.S. detected no hostile fire directed at the aircraft, both on their approach and return from the mission.
According to General Caine, the operation commenced at midnight on Friday, with a significant B-2 strike package of bombers launched from the continental United States. To maintain tactical surprise, part of the strike package was diverted to the west and into the Pacific as a decoy, a strategy known only to a select group of planners and leaders in Washington and Tampa. Caine emphasized the success of the operation, stating that Iranian fighter jets did not engage, and their surface-to-air missile systems failed to detect the U.S. bombers throughout the mission, thereby retaining the crucial element of surprise.
In a press briefing on Sunday morning, Defense Secretary Hegseth reiterated President Trump's commitment to pursuing peace talks with Iran before the decision to strike was made. Hegseth noted that the President had consistently sought a diplomatic resolution and had provided Iran with numerous opportunities to engage in negotiations regarding their nuclear program. Unfortunately, Hegseth stated, these efforts were met with resistance from Iran, prompting Trump to take decisive action to mitigate threats against U.S. troops and interests.
As tensions escalate, many Americans in Israel are attempting to evacuate amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, following the State Department's level 4 travel advisory against traveling to the country. Despite warnings, numerous citizens are exploring various exit strategies, including attempting to cross into Jordan and securing commercial flights back to the U.S. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has played a pivotal role in organizing charter flights, successfully evacuating hundreds of Americans to Tampa, Florida. Additionally, the educational organization Birthright Israel has facilitated the evacuation of 1,500 Americans aboard the luxury cruise ship Crown Iris, which is traveling from Ashdod Port to Larnaca, Cyprus.
On Sunday morning, over a dozen injuries were reported in Israel following a missile barrage from Iran, which targeted at least ten locations. Approximately 30 missiles were launched, with around ten breaching Israel's air defenses, according to Fox News senior correspondent Mike Tobin. The attack resulted in at least 20 injuries, with 11 individuals requiring hospitalization. One victim, a 30-year-old man, sustained moderate to severe injuries from shrapnel. Tobin emphasized that the impact of these missiles is significant, and injury assessments are still preliminary.
During a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Senator Bernie Sanders was delivering remarks when President Trump announced the successful strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. An aide interrupted Sanders to convey the news, prompting the senator to read Trump's message aloud to his supporters. The crowd reacted with chants of "No more wars!" as Sanders expressed his disapproval of the unilateral military action, emphasizing that only Congress has the authority to declare war.
In the wake of the airstrikes, Representative Ro Khanna urged lawmakers to reconvene in Washington, D.C., to sign the War Powers Resolution. Khanna emphasized that while preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is crucial, involving the U.S. in another Middle Eastern conflict is not an acceptable solution. He introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at removing U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran and called for immediate congressional action to deescalate tensions and pursue diplomatic avenues.
In stark contrast, former Deputy Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Ellie Cohanim praised President Trump's decision to target Iranian nuclear capabilities, suggesting he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his actions. Cohanim, an Iranian refugee, articulated that Trump's strikes not only protect national interests but also foster hope for peace in the Middle East. She expressed optimism that these measures could pave the way for improved relations between Israel and its neighbors.
