US submarine launched secret strike on Iran in covert operation
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 23, 2025, 22:18 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a highly secretive operation, the U.S. military targeted Iranian nuclear facilities using a combination of stealth bombers and a guided-missile submarine. The submarine, likely an Ohio-class SSGN, launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles from an undisclosed location. This mission underscores the increasing importance of undersea assets in U.S. strategic operations amidst escalating tensions with Iran.
In a covert military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, the United States deployed a top-secret combat platform alongside its widely reported use of B-2 stealth bombers. According to a report from Business Insider, a U.S. Navy guided-missile submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles from an undisclosed location in the Middle East as part of the classified Operation Midnight Hammer.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the submarine’s involvement but did not disclose the specific class or name of the vessel. Analysts believe it was likely an Ohio-class SSGN, one of the Navy’s most advanced submarines, capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. These missiles, powered by subsonic jet engines, have a range exceeding 1,000 miles and can strike targets with high precision from beneath the sea surface.
The Ohio-class submarines, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, are valued for their stealth. Their design includes streamlined hulls and advanced propulsion systems, allowing them to operate undetected in hostile waters. The U.S. military rarely discloses the details of these submarines unless it aims to send a calculated message of deterrence, which appears not to have been the case during this mission.
In addition to the submarine-launched missiles, the strike package included dozens of U.S. fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers. According to officials, a total of 75 precision-guided munitions were used against Iranian targets in the operation. The mission also involved B-2 stealth bombers, which reportedly flew a 37-hour round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
While the B-2s drew widespread attention due to their long-range deployment and symbolic presence, the use of a submerged launch platform highlights the growing role of undersea assets in U.S. strategic operations. The specific impact of the strike and the full list of targeted sites have not been officially disclosed.
The exact location from which the submarine launched its missiles remains classified, underscoring the operation’s high level of secrecy. Military officials have declined to offer further details, consistent with long-standing policy regarding the movements of U.S. ballistic and guided-missile submarines.
The operation represents one of the most extensive U.S. military actions in the region in recent years, as tensions with Iran continue to escalate over nuclear development concerns.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the submarine’s involvement but did not disclose the specific class or name of the vessel. Analysts believe it was likely an Ohio-class SSGN, one of the Navy’s most advanced submarines, capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. These missiles, powered by subsonic jet engines, have a range exceeding 1,000 miles and can strike targets with high precision from beneath the sea surface.
The Ohio-class submarines, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, are valued for their stealth. Their design includes streamlined hulls and advanced propulsion systems, allowing them to operate undetected in hostile waters. The U.S. military rarely discloses the details of these submarines unless it aims to send a calculated message of deterrence, which appears not to have been the case during this mission.
In addition to the submarine-launched missiles, the strike package included dozens of U.S. fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers. According to officials, a total of 75 precision-guided munitions were used against Iranian targets in the operation. The mission also involved B-2 stealth bombers, which reportedly flew a 37-hour round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
While the B-2s drew widespread attention due to their long-range deployment and symbolic presence, the use of a submerged launch platform highlights the growing role of undersea assets in U.S. strategic operations. The specific impact of the strike and the full list of targeted sites have not been officially disclosed.
The exact location from which the submarine launched its missiles remains classified, underscoring the operation’s high level of secrecy. Military officials have declined to offer further details, consistent with long-standing policy regarding the movements of U.S. ballistic and guided-missile submarines.
The operation represents one of the most extensive U.S. military actions in the region in recent years, as tensions with Iran continue to escalate over nuclear development concerns.