On Saturday night, the world's attention was focused on a group of American B-2 bombers taking off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, but the operation turned out to be a carefully planned diversion. Two groups, MYTEE11 and MYTEE21, each of four B-2As, headed toward Guam and Honolulu, forcing observers to focus on the Pacific. Meanwhile, the real strike on Iranian targets was carried out by another squadron of nine B-2s, including groups BATT11 (four aircraft) and BATT21 (three aircraft), as well as two backup aircraft. These aircraft, taking off from the same base, took a complex route across the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, over Israel, Jordan and Iraq, attacking Iran from the west.

According to US sources, the strikes took place on Sunday night against nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, using precision-guided bunker busters. The squadron is returning along the same route, but as of 18:13 p.m. ET, the aircraft had not yet returned to the continental US. Experts estimate that at least 17 of the US Air Force’s 19 B-2s were involved in the operation, an unprecedented deployment of the stealth bombers for a single mission.

The conflict escalated after Israel launched more than a week of strikes on Iranian infrastructure, and the United States joined the operation in an effort to neutralize Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli cities and increased activity by its allies, including the Houthis in Yemen. According to the AP, Iranian air defenses detected the aircraft approaching from the west, but were unable to intercept them due to the B-2's stealth technology. Tehran says damage was limited due to advance defenses.

Tensions are mounting in the region. According to satellite company ImageSat International, the strike area showed signs of destruction near Isfahan, where support facilities were damaged. In response, Iran is strengthening its forces in the Persian Gulf, deploying additional IRGC boats near Lavan Island. In Iraq, American bases near Mosul have been put on high alert, fearing Iranian counterattacks.

Analysts say the use of a trans-Pacific diversionary maneuver demonstrates the difficulty of planning a U.S. operation to maintain the element of surprise. Tehran, despite limited damage, is activating its missile force, placing missiles in Khorasan province, according to Planet Labs.