For several days now, preparations have been underway behind the scenes for the American attack, but outwardly, those in the know have been careful not to be exposed. The deception operations continued until just moments before the attack, which began with the launch of Tomahawk missiles from American submarines and ended with the dropping of heavy weapons from B-2 aircraft. All the events of the historic night, minute by minute
Nina Fox
,
Ron Crissy
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Historic American attack on Iran - after diversionary operations, reports of tensions between the US and Israel, and preparatory actions by the IDF: On the orders of US President Donald Trump, the US military attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran last night (between Saturday and Sunday) - Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The historic attack was preceded by reports of tense talks between the US and Israel, and additional efforts to deceive Iran into not suspecting the upcoming action.
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Trump announced the attack on Iran: "Now is the time for peace!" (Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Google Earth, Youtube, US Air Force)
Among other things, yesterday, US officials confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers took off for Guam, and other sources said that no order was given to prepare for an attack involving the stealth bombers. Shortly afterwards, the New York Times reported that additional US fighter jets were being transferred to the Middle East, including those that may accompany the stealth bombers for an attack on Iran. The bombers, the US confirmed this morning, passed over the skies of Iraq and Syria on their way to the attack.
At the same time, it was also reported that another American missile destroyer had entered the eastern Mediterranean and another group of warships was making its way to the Arabian Sea, but the Pentagon emphasized that the movement of forces was"defensive" only.
Last night, senior Iranian officials were heard sending threatening messages to the US, in an attempt to prevent it from advancing an attack against the nuclear facilities, and the Reuters news agency reported that in the absence of American intervention, Israel would likely attack the nuclear facility in Fordow alone. During the night, American media outlets also reported that Trump had not yet made a decision regarding joining Israel's campaign against Iran, but that it could be made within days. However, at the same time as those reports, the US was already in the midst of a dramatic attack on Iran.
Trump's statement, about an hour before the start of the attack on the nuclear sites (Photo: from Truth Social)
The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff presents the stealth fighter's flight path and details from the attack (Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In addition, after the attack, it was learned that Israel was in on the secret before the attack even began, and that Trump had briefed Netanyahu on this a few hours before. The war management cabinet even met in a bunker tonight and monitored the American attack, which was carried out in full, tactical and strategic coordination, with the IDF.
This is how it happened - minute by minute:
Operation Midnight Hammer begins - at 00:00 (Israeli time) Around midnight (Israeli time), a US submarine launched more than 24 Tomahawk missiles against targets in Isfahan. At the same time, US military forces also attacked the Fordow and Natanz areas to allow safe passage for US aircraft in preparation for the weapons drop.
00:28 At around 00:30 at night, before anything was published about the American attack on Iran, Trump referred to the ultimatum he had issued to Iran, and shared a report on the subject from Fox News on his social network Truth Social, alongside the caption:"Only time will tell!"
At 1:40 a.m., about an hour and forty after the Tomahawk missiles were launched, B-2 stealth bombers began dropping munitions on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. General Dan Kaine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that a total of 14 bunker-penetrating bombs (MOPs) were dropped on targets in Iran. According to him,"more than 125 military aircraft participated in the operation, using approximately 75 precision-guided munitions - within 25 minutes."
A post shared by President Trump: "Fordo is gone" (Photo: from Truth)
The American cabinet in the White House during the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities (Photo: The White House)
2:50 AM - Just before 3:00 AM, President Trump posted a dramatic message on the social media platform he owns, Truth Social - and wrote that the US military had completed strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He said,"We have completed a very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran. All planes are now out of Iranian airspace. A full load of bombs was dropped on Fordow, and all planes are safely on their way home." Trump praised the US military, adding:"There is no other military in the world that could have done this. Now is the time for peace!" The official White House X account also shared Trump's words on the social media platform.
3:05 AM Contrary to the many recordings distributed from Iran during the Israeli attacks, no recordings were distributed at all during the American attack - and Iran itself did not comment on the attack or its consequences. A media outlet affiliated with Iran even denied the attack, writing that"there is no evidence of the bombing other than press reports from Isfahan about hearing explosions an hour ago. The only documentation is Trump's statements."
3:10 AM After confirming that the US had attacked nuclear sites in Iran, US President Donald Trump shared another post on his social media account that read"Fordo is gone." In addition, after the attack, Trump spoke with Netanyahu.
3:15 AM Trump continues his series of posts on social media, announcing that he will make a statement at 5:00 AM (Israeli time). He said,"I will make a statement regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is a historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world. Iran must now agree to end this war."
At 3:25 AM, senior Houthi official Hazam al-Assad sent a threatening message to the US, writing on his personal account on the social network X:"Washington must bear the consequences."
At 3:30 AM, a channel affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards commented on the American attack on Iran, posting on the social network X that"now the war has begun for us."
03:40 at night, the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation confirms for the first time that"three nuclear sites were evacuated a short time ago, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan." It was also reported that so far, official sources in Iran have not responded to the news of the American attack.
4:00 AM The spokesman for the crisis management headquarters of Qom province in Iran confirmed that the nuclear facility in Fordo was attacked:"A few hours ago, after the Qom air defense system was activated and hostile targets were identified, part of the Fordo nuclear site area was attacked by the enemy." At the same time, in the Isfahan province, we were informed that"the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities were attacked by the enemy."
4:15 AM Iranian state television threatens: "Any American citizen or military personnel in the region is now a legitimate target."
4:20 AM Trump told Reuters that "it was an incredible success tonight," and stressed that Iran must "make peace now." He said,"They have to stop immediately. Otherwise, they will be attacked again." According to a CNN report, Trump"hopes that the attacks on Iran will drive a diplomatic process," and is not planning any more attacks at this time.
4:40 AM Netanyahu thanked Trump, saying in a statement in English that he released that"President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace. Tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with all their might." The Prime Minister congratulated the US President, adding:"Your bold decision to attack Iran's nuclear facilities with the tremendous power of the United States will change history. In Operation 'Am Kalavi,' Israel did truly amazing things. Tonight's action was unprecedented. The US did what no other country in the world can do.
"History will remember that President Trump acted to overthrow the most dangerous regime in the world, and destroy the most dangerous weapon in the world," Netanyahu added."His leadership created a turning point in history that can lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace."
The damage in Fordow (Photo: AFP PHOTO/ SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES)
5:00 AM Trump in a statement after the attack on Iran: "Our goal was to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment capability and eliminate the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism. Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a resounding military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and utterly destroyed."
He said,"Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If it does not, the next attacks will be much bigger and much easier. For 40 years, Iran has been shouting 'Death to America, Death to Israel.' They have been killing our people, blowing their arms and legs off, using IEDs. That was their specialty. In particular, so many have been killed by their general, Qassem Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this continue - and it will not continue."
5:35 AM Netanyahu in another statement, this time in Hebrew:"In Operation 'Am Kalavi', we achieved unprecedented achievements together in the history of Israel. You remember that from the beginning of the operation, I promised you that Iran's nuclear facilities would be destroyed, one way or another. This promise was kept."
5:40 AM After the threats from the Houthis and Iranians, US President Donald Trump issued his own threat:"Any retaliatory action by Iran against the United States will be met with much greater force than that seen tonight. Thank you!"
7:10 AM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the first senior Iranian official to comment on the American attack, claimed on his X Network account that"the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, committed a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by attacking Iran's nuclear facilities."
He said,"The events this morning are outrageous and will have far-reaching consequences. Every member and state in the UN must be concerned about this dangerous, illegal and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its articles, which allow for a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to protect its sovereignty, interests and people."
