Jerusalem: New information has emerged indicating that the United States and Israel had jointly conducted military training exercises more than a year ago, specifically aimed at targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. This revelation, which surfaced in the aftermath of a coordinated U.S. airstrike on key Iranian nuclear sites, suggests that the recent assault was not a spontaneous act of retaliation, but rather the execution of a well-rehearsed strategy.
According to high-level sources cited by ABC News and confirmed by Israeli defense officials, the United States and Israel held a joint military drill last year under the Biden administration. This exercise, which simulated a multi-pronged attack on Iranian nuclear sites, closely mirrored the actual operation carried out by U.S. forces over the weekend. The facilities targeted in both the drill and the real strike included deeply buried and fortified sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The training exercise was reportedly the first of its kind in which both nations coordinated an assault plan on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. Experts now say this prior preparation allowed for a seamless transition from planning to execution under the Trump administration, which greenlit the mission following Iran’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment and escalating missile exchanges with Israel.
The actual military operation, unofficially dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved the use of B-2 stealth bombers equipped with Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) capable of destroying underground bunkers. Tomahawk cruise missiles were also launched from U.S. submarines stationed in the Gulf, targeting key facilities with surgical precision.
U.S. President Donald Trump personally oversaw the strike from the White House Situation Room. Following the successful return of all American aircraft, Trump declared the mission a "spectacular success" and warned Iran against further provocation.
In response, Iranian officials have denounced the strikes as a gross violation of international law. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization stated that although no radiation leaks occurred, the attack represented a brutal breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Meanwhile, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations submitted a strongly worded letter to the UN Security Council, condemning the U.S. and Israel and holding them "fully accountable" for what it termed an "unlawful and reckless" act of aggression.
Iran has since vowed retaliation and is reportedly considering military responses, including actions targeting U.S. assets in the Gulf and the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz a vital maritime route for global oil shipments.
The disclosure of the joint military drill underscores the long-standing strategic alignment between Washington and Tel Aviv on the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While the Biden administration had emphasized diplomacy, it evidently did not rule out a military contingency. The Trump administration, by executing the plan, has escalated tensions to a critical point.
Defense experts note that the smooth execution of the recent operation would not have been possible without the prior simulation, which included testing logistics, strike coordination, bunker-penetration accuracy, and emergency protocols. These preparations also served to familiarize both militaries with the complex topography of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
International response to the operation has been mixed. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed it as a “historic blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, leaders in Europe and Canada have urged immediate de-escalation. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions and reiterated that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, while also warning against deepening the conflict.
The timing of the operation, following a series of Israeli strikes and amid diplomatic gridlock, suggests that the U.S. and Israel viewed military action as both a message and a means of leverage. Still, the risk of unintended consequences is high. With Iranian missiles already launched in retaliation against Israeli targets, the possibility of a broader war in the region remains a serious concern.
This latest revelation that the U.S. and Israel had rehearsed for the Iran strike a full year in advance offers insight into the depth of preparation behind what might otherwise seem like a sudden escalation. It also raises questions about the transparency of military planning and the readiness of global powers to resort to force in addressing nuclear proliferation.
As the international community scrambles to contain the fallout, one thing is clear: the road to this critical moment was paved long before the first bomb fell. Whether it leads to renewed talks or a larger conflict may now depend on how both sides and the world choose to respond in the coming days.