Summary
Highlights
Sentcom has provided footage of the early hours of the operation, where forces began striking targets at 1:15. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of SenCom, noted that President Trump ordered bold action and all military branches answered the call. Unlike typical attacks under the cover of darkness, these strikes reportedly occurred mid-morning local time, which is unusual.
The military's initial objective was to disable air defense systems using cruise missiles to avoid risking aircrew. The unusual mid-morning timing is likely due to Israeli intelligence, which identified a window of opportunity to target key Iranian leaders. This intelligence-led decision probably prompted the immediate strikes, overriding typical operational timings.
Following the initial strikes, US military options focused on a master target list that included uranium enrichment sites to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities. These sites have been targeted over the past 24 hours.
Centcom's statement highlights the first-time combat use of low-cost one-way attack drones. Given that Iran had been attacked previously and would have prepared defenses, the US utilized these unmanned drones to mitigate risks to personnel. Both the US and UK are investing heavily in longer-range drones that can strike targets without endangering human lives, which was a key objective for President Trump to avoid military casualties.
The operation also involved Super Hornets launching from decks of aircraft carriers like the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln. Stealth aircraft like the F-35C were also deployed, capable of safely penetrating defended airspace. However, the Tomahawk missiles, launched from support ships, formed the likely initial wave of highly effective attacks.