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High-level sources have informed Fox News that during operations to rescue a downed U.S. airman in Iran, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper ordered a significant strike against an underground Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters near Tehran.
The strike was conducted with B2 bombers deploying Massive Ordnance Penetrators—the same powerful “bunker buster” bombs used in last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer. According to senior defense officials, the underground IRGC facility was completely destroyed in the attack.
The operation occurred amid complex rescue efforts after an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iranian territory. During the rescue missions, U.S. military B1 bombers, known as “BONES,” dropped approximately one hundred 2,000-pound bombs to create a security perimeter and keep Iranian forces away from the rescue zone, a senior U.S. defense official confirmed.
“We delivered the heat on the IRGC,” a senior military source told Fox News, emphasizing the intensity of the American response.
The bombing of the IRGC headquarters was reportedly ordered after receiving time-sensitive intelligence revealing that numerous IRGC commanders were gathered inside the underground bunker. The B2 bombers flew a round-trip mission directly from Whiteman Air Force Base in the United States to carry out the precision strike.
This aggressive action represents a significant escalation in U.S. military operations against Iran, demonstrating America’s capability to strike deep within Iranian territory despite the country’s advanced air defense systems. Military analysts note that penetrating strikes against hardened underground facilities are among the most challenging military operations, requiring specialized munitions and precise intelligence.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed in a press release that American forces successfully rescued two service members after their F-15E was downed. The incident has showcased both U.S. combat search and rescue capabilities and its willingness to strike Iranian military leadership during operations on Iranian soil.
Following the successful rescues, President Donald Trump celebrated the mission on his Truth Social platform, writing: “We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel.”
Trump emphasized the exceptional nature of the operation, noting that “This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to ‘man and equipment.’ It just doesn’t happen!” He further highlighted the unusual nature of conducting a rescue “in broad daylight” and spending “seven hours over Iran.”
The daring rescue operations and retaliatory strikes mark a significant moment in U.S.-Iran relations, potentially reshaping the strategic calculus in the region. Defense experts suggest the successful penetration of Iranian airspace and the precision strike against a high-value IRGC target sends a clear message about U.S. capabilities and resolve.
Iranian state media has released images claiming to show wreckage from American aircraft involved in the operations, but has not yet provided a comprehensive response to the strikes against IRGC facilities.
The incident comes amid already heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the two nations engaged in various proxy conflicts across the Middle East. Military observers note that the successful rescue operation demonstrates America’s ability to project force even in hostile territories with sophisticated air defense networks, a capability that will likely factor into future Iranian strategic planning.
Pentagon officials have not provided additional details about casualties resulting from the strikes on the IRGC headquarters, nor have they specified what intelligence prompted the timing of the attack.
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5 Comments
Decisive action from the US military, but I have concerns about escalating tensions with Iran. Hopefully this was a targeted, proportional response to a specific threat. We’ll have to see how things unfold from here.
Seems like a pretty significant strike against the IRGC. I wonder what kind of intelligence they had to warrant such a large-scale response. Curious to see how Iran reacts to this.
The use of B2 bombers and Massive Ordnance Penetrators indicates the US wanted to ensure maximum damage against this IRGC facility. Strikes like this are always risky, so I hope the intelligence was rock solid.
Destroying an underground IRGC headquarters with bunker buster bombs is no small feat. It shows the US military’s capability to hit high-value targets, even deep underground. I’m curious to learn more details about the operation.
Wow, this must have been a complex rescue and strike operation. Kudos to the US military for their skill in executing it. I wonder what the political fallout will be, given the sensitivity of US-Iran relations.