Washington, June 23: The United States carried out a major air strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. The mission was called Operation Midnight Hammer. It involved more than 125 aircraft and a clever decoy plan to confuse Iran.

General Dan Caine, a top US military officer, said the entire attack lasted just 25 minutes. No US aircraft were hit by Iran’s air defence systems.

The US used seven stealth B-2 bombers in the strike. These bombers dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs — each weighing around 30,000 pounds — on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow and Natanz. At the same time, over two dozen Tomahawk missiles were fired at Isfahan.

The bombers took off from Missouri and entered Iranian airspace. They finished the attack and exited in 25 minutes. This was the longest B-2 bomber mission since the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Iran launched missiles at northern and central Israel early Sunday. This came after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran overnight.

Loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens went off, and Israeli air defenses shot down many missiles. Still, at least 20 people were injured, rescue teams said.

The US strikes hit Iran’s nuclear sites. This move supports Israel in its fight to stop Iran’s nuclear programme. But it also raised fears of a bigger war in the region.

Iran accused the US of starting a “dangerous war.”

US President Donald Trump said the strikes were successful. “Iran’s nuclear sites were completely and fully destroyed,” he said in a speech from the White House.