US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that B-2 Spirit stealth bombers carried out a major air operation targeting around 200 sites in Iran during a 72-hour mission.
The strikes focused on strategic military locations believed to support Iran’s ballistic missile program.
CENTCOM officials said the operation involved several aircraft and targeted sites deep inside Iranian territory. According to officials, the mission’s primary focus was on areas surrounding Tehran, though the military did not reveal the exact locations that were hit.
Military analysts widely believe the strikes targeted underground facilities located in the Alborz Mountains near the Iranian capital. These installations are often referred to as Missile Cities or Mountain Bases. The sites are believed to store long-range ballistic missiles and other military assets operated by Iran.
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Cooper said US forces used powerful weapons during the mission to damage deeply buried targets. “We used 2,000-pound bombs against ballistic missiles stored deep underground,” Cooper said while describing the operation.
Reports from several media outlets earlier this month suggested the US was preparing for possible strikes against underground missile facilities run by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The aim of such missions would be to weaken Iran’s ability to launch long-range ballistic missiles.
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The B-2 bombers used in the mission flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, which is the only operational base for the aircraft. The facility is located about 70 miles southeast of Kansas City and serves as the main hub for America’s stealth bomber operations.
Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said the mission required an extremely long flight. “The aircraft completed a 37-hour round-trip mission from the continental US to reach their targets,” Caine said.
The B-2 Spirit is one of the most advanced strategic bombers in the world. It was designed to penetrate highly advanced air defense systems that usually prevent other aircraft from reaching heavily protected military targets.
One of the aircraft’s biggest advantages is its stealth capability. The bomber uses advanced materials, special coatings, and a unique flying-wing design that helps reduce radar, infrared, acoustic, and visual signatures. These features make it difficult for enemy air defense systems to detect and track the aircraft.
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The B-2 also has a large payload capacity and high aerodynamic efficiency. This combination allows the aircraft to fly long distances while carrying heavy weapons needed to destroy hardened military targets.
While the B-2 remains a key part of the US Air Force fleet, the military is preparing to introduce a new stealth bomber in the coming years.
Whiteman Air Force Base is expected to host the next-generation B-21 Raider bomber. The US Congress recently approved $1.92 billion in funding to support increased production of the new aircraft.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink highlighted the importance of the upcoming bomber in future missions. “The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability,” Meink said in a February announcement.
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The first operational B-21 Raider is expected to enter service in 2027. Over time, the aircraft will gradually replace older bombers, including the B-2 Spirit, as part of the US’s long-term effort to modernize its strategic bomber fleet.
