Vice President praises ‘extraordinary’ 18-hour bombing mission that obliterated Tehran’s nuclear sites without pilots ever landing
VICE President J.D. Vance has revealed the jaw-dropping precision of America’s audacious strike on Iran — praising pilots who flew halfway around the world to drop massive bombs on targets “the size of a washing machine”.
The veep hit the Sunday morning television circuit to provide stunning details of the unprecedented military operation that saw B-2 stealth bombers fly from Missouri to obliterate Iran’s nuclear facilities in a marathon mission.
In an extraordinary boast about American military might, Vance told NBC’s Meet the Press that the pilots “didn’t land a single time” during their gruelling 18-hour round trip to deliver devastation to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
But here’s what’s truly mind-blowing: these airmen dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs with such precision that they hit targets no bigger than a household appliance from thousands of feet in the air.
‘INCREDIBLE OPERATION’
We’re incredibly grateful and proud of the American Air Force pilots who did an incredible job last night,” Vance said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday morning.
“The operation was really extraordinary. These guys flew from Missouri. They didn’t land a single time. They dropped 30,000 pound bombs on a target the size of a washing machine and then got back home safely without ever landing in the Middle East or ever stopping other than to briefly refuel, and of course they did that in the air.
The Vice President’s stunning revelation came as he defended the strikes whilst insisting America is “not at war with Iran” — merely “at war with Iran’s nuclear program.
His appearance on the Sunday shows followed Saturday evening’s dramatic announcement at the White House, where Vance was seen standing behind President Donald Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
MARATHON MISSION FROM MISSOURI
The scale of the operation is staggering. Pentagon officials revealed that B-2 bombers left Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri at midnight Friday, flying 18 hours straight to deliver their deadly payload.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine revealed the intricate details at a Pentagon briefing: “Once over land, the B-2s linked up with escort and support aircraft in a complex, tightly timed maneuver requiring exact synchronization across multiple platforms in a narrow piece of airspace, all done with minimal communications.”
From approximately 6:40 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. Eastern time Saturday, the B-2s dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on multiple targets at the Fordo and Natanz nuclear sites. The planes did not come under fire before, during or after the attack, Caine said.
The massive 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs — so heavy they can only be carried by B-2 stealth bombers — were specifically designed to penetrate Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
‘NOT AT WAR WITH IRAN’
Despite the dramatic military action, Vance was adamant that America hasn’t embarked on another Middle Eastern war.
No, Kristen, we’re not at war with Iran, we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program,” Vance told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker when she asked point-blank if the U.S. was now at war.
He added: “It’s really an incredible operation, a testament to the power of American military. And I think that shows what can happen when you have that great American military in the hands of capable presidential leadership.”
The Vice President emphasised: “What we did is we destroyed the Iranian nuclear program and we did it without endangering the American pilots. Whatever our politics, we should be proud of what these guys accomplished and a very, very high-impact mission under a lot of pressure.
TRUMP’S ‘SPECTACULAR SUCCESS’
President Trump had announced the strikes on Saturday evening, declaring them a “spectacular military success” that had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.
Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said in his address from the White House. “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
The strikes targeted three critical sites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — names Trump said “everybody heard those names for years as they built this horribly destructive enterprise.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at Sunday’s Pentagon briefing that Iran’s “nuclear ambitions have been obliterated” by the strikes.
NO BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Vance was keen to stress that despite the military action, the Trump administration has no appetite for a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.
“We have no interest in a protracted conflict. We have no interest in boots on the ground,” Vance insisted.
He defended the action from critics who fear it could drag America into another endless war: “The difference is that back then, we had dumb presidents, and now we have a president who actually knows how to accomplish America’s national security objectives. So this is not going to be some long, drawn-out thing.”
When pressed about whether Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been fully eliminated, Vance said: “I’m not going to get into sensitive intelligence about what we’ve seen on the ground there in Iran, but we’ve seen a lot, and I feel very confident that we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon.
IRAN’S OPTIONS LIMITED
The Vice President warned that any Iranian retaliation would be met with serious consequences, whilst suggesting Tehran’s options were limited.
When asked about Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world’s oil flows — Vance dismissed it as “suicidal” for Iran.
Their entire economy runs through the Strait of Hormuz. If they want to destroy their own economy and cause disruptions in the world, I think that would be their decision,” he said. “But why would they do that? I don’t think it makes any sense.”
He added that the U.S. has received “some indirect messages from the Iranians” since the strikes, suggesting diplomatic channels remain open.
BIPARTISAN BACKLASH
Despite Vance’s assurances, the strikes have sparked criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans who argue Trump should have sought Congressional approval.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Congress to enforce the War Powers Act, saying: “No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy.
But Vance dismissed such concerns, arguing the president has the authority to “act to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
The idea that this was outside of presidential authority, I think any real serious legal person would tell you that’s not true,” Vance said.
As the dust settles on this dramatic escalation, one thing is clear: American pilots have once again demonstrated their extraordinary capabilities, flying halfway across the world to hit targets with pinpoint accuracy before returning home without ever touching foreign soil.
Whether this precision strike leads to peace or further conflict remains to be seen. But for now, Vance’s message is clear: America can project devastating power anywhere on earth — and hit a target the size of a washing machine while doing it.
