Midnight Hammer could be the script for a Hollywood blockbuster. But even if it were a sequel to the famous Maverick, no one could have imagined the twists and surprises of the script. On the field, however, the United States proved that it has the most capable military machine and perhaps the only one that could successfully carry out such a complex and dangerous mission.

Although many aspects of the operation were explained in detail in the press conference held by the Pentagon, the details that K is informed about the setup and preparation of the gigantic air raid reveal the long-term and thorough planning that led to the impressive result.

According to the same information, the Israelis began preparing the operation about a year ago, keeping their American counterparts informed.

A year ago

The first step that paved the way for the attack on Iran took place on April 19, 2024. With the war in Gaza in full swing and following a series of tensions between Jerusalem and Tehran, Israel launched its first attack on Iran. With a well-organized air operation in retaliation for the launch of a hundred ballistic missiles and 170 drones against it, the Israeli air force covered more than 1,600 kilometers and bombed the Isfahan airport, destroying at least one S-300 anti-aircraft battery belonging to the Revolutionary Guards.

The next episode takes place a few months later. After another Iranian attack with 200 ballistic missiles, Israel launches a counterattack in the early hours of October 26, 2024, which manifests itself in three waves. More than 100 F-35, F-16 and F-15 fighters, flying tankers and early warning aircraft opened a corridor from Israel to Iran, destroying radars, anti-aircraft guns, weapons depots and military installations of the Revolutionary Guards.

These two operations managed, on the one hand, to weaken Tehran's defensive capabilities, and on the other hand to show that a strike, even at distances approaching 2,000 kilometers, is possible. However, the level of sophistication of the Israeli operations of April and October 2024 is far from last Sunday's operation. According to reports, the Israeli and US air forces have been preparing for such a scenario for months now.

The rehearsals, as military sources in K report, also took place during the raids against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The distance is similar, as Sanaa is approximately 1,800 kilometers from Israel, while Tehran is almost 1,600 kilometers. The demanding planning for supporting dozens of air assets so far from their home bases was systematically worked on by both the Israelis and the Americans.

Bluff

Another important detail stands out in Operation Midnight Hammer. The distraction set up by Washington and Jerusalem. It began with selective leaks regarding the type of bombers and munitions that could be used to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities. Within a few days, the long-range B-2 bombers and the 13-ton GBU-57 armor-piercing bombs, capable of penetrating and destroying armored targets, became a dominant topic in the public sphere.

With transmitters switched off, the six B-2s

The takeoff of six B-2s from Missouri, United States, on Saturday, June 21, drew the attention of the international community and millions of internet users who followed their trajectory towards the island of Guam, without anyone wondering why they were flying with open transmitters, even though they were strategic bombers on an operational mission. A scenario that was also supported by leaks from American officials to major international networks.

However, while the world watched the six B-2s fly over the Pacific (westbound), seven different B-2s had taken the opposite direction (eastbound) keeping their transmitters off.

Hours later and without anyone expecting it, the American president announced the successful outcome of the operation, deceiving Tehran– and not only that. The combined operation also involved Israeli fighters, refueling aircraft and flying radars, which made sure to clear the air defenses with repeated waves of attacks, paving the way for the American bombers.