Washington: The Pentagon has disclosed that the US attack on Iran in June was the culmination of 15 years of meticulous preparation. General Dan Keane, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted the extensive period of military training and technological advancements that led to the operation.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, General Keane stated, “Operation Midnight Hammer was the culmination of 15 years of incredible work by the pilots, the refueling crews, the weapons experts, those who built it, and those who loaded it onto the aircraft.” He emphasized that the strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility was a calculated decision made with considerable deliberation.

Keane further explained that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency team had identified vulnerabilities in the facility with a high level of confidence. The weapon used in the attack was specifically designed and deployed to achieve the intended outcome. He also noted that the early stages of the massive ordnance penetrator (MOMP) program included the involvement of several science PhDs.

The attack followed an Israeli operation launched on June 13, which targeted Iran, accusing it of operating a clandestine military nuclear program. The Israeli airstrikes aimed at nuclear facilities, key military figures, and air bases. In response, Iran denied the allegations and launched retaliatory strikes.

The conflict saw both sides exchanging attacks over a 12-day period. The United States joined Israel in a singular offensive against Iranian nuclear sites on the night of June 22. Subsequently, on June 23, Iran retaliated with missile strikes on the US Al Udeid base in Qatar, signaling that Iran did not wish to escalate the situation further.