The United States used B-2 stealth bombers to strike Iran’s underground ballistic missile facilities, the Pentagon confirmed, as a rapidly escalating conflict with Iran spread across the Middle East with heavy strikes, naval clashes and rising casualties. The US and Israel are jointly carrying out strikes on Iran.
A US defence official told Fox News that the long-range bombers flew directly from US to Iran and dropped dozens of 2,000-lb bombs on missile launchers hidden inside fortified underground caves. US Central Command said posted on X: “Last night, US B-2 stealth bombers, armed with 2,000 lb. bombs, struck Iran’s hardened ballistic missile facilities. No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve.”
The B-2 Spirit bomber is designed to evade radar and deliver heavy bunker-buster munitions against deeply buried targets. With a range of about 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling, extendable through aerial tanking, the aircraft can fly from US mainland to distant war zones and return without landing.
Analysts tracking military flight activity had earlier detected B-2 movements linked to the strikes, before US officials confirmed that four aircraft were used. Similar bombers were deployed in the 2025 Israel-Iran war to hit underground nuclear facilities.
US LAUNCHES 900 STRIKES IN 12 HOURS
The Pentagon also said three US service members were killed in action and five seriously wounded during operations linked to the Iran strikes. US defence officials separately denied Iranian claims that missiles had hit the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf.
The conflict escalated further on Sunday. According to Fox News, US forces carried out about 900 strikes in 12 hours, while Israeli forces launched roughly 1,200 strikes in 24 hours — exceeding the pace of last year’s 12-day Israel-Iran war.
CONFLICT SPREADS TO GULF, SHIPPING LANES
The fighting has expanded beyond Iran’s territory into Gulf waters and global energy routes. US President Donald Trump said American forces had sunk nine Iranian naval vessels and largely destroyed Iran’s naval headquarters, though there was no independent confirmation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in turn said they had struck three US- and UK-linked oil tankers in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, raising fears for commercial shipping through the world’s main oil corridor.
More than 200 vessels, including oil and liquefied gas tankers, have dropped anchor around the strait and nearby Gulf waters, news agency Reuters reported, citing shipping data.
Israel signalled further escalation ahead, saying it was preparing to mobilise about 100,000 reservists to expand “Operation Roaring Lion,” its campaign against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes on Iran would intensify in the coming days.
With inputs from agencies
