Details emerge from leak-free U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites

The U.S. military’s surprise strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities last weekend dominated the news for days, but it is the run-up to the mission that continues to draw analysis and awe from observers around the world.

Now that the endeavor has been acknowledged as a massive success, details of how it took shape are beginning to emerge, with Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles receiving kudos for the leak-proof team she assembled and continues to lead, as the Daily Mail reports.

Keeping it quiet

Though tensions between Israel and Iran had escalated earlier in June to such a point that American intervention appeared more and more likely, President Donald Trump did not initially appear ready or willing to enter the fray.

Indeed, in the days prior to the U.S. military strikes, Trump continued to keep things close to the vest, suggesting that he would make a decision on whether to take a more active role in the conflict “within the next two weeks.”

That, combined with the fact that he had continued his summer habit of departing for his New Jersey golf club just hours before the bombs hit Iran, seemed to offer assurance that dramatic developments were not imminent.

Trump’s return to the White House last Saturday upped the psychological ante to some degree, but there was no outward indication that Operation Midnight Hammer was well on its way to completion.

On the afternoon preceding the attack, Trump remained at his Bedminster property and was said to be in a “loose and…easy going mood” before eventually receiving an update from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that prompted him to give the green light and make his way back to D.C.

Situation room, secrecy, and success

Upon his arrival at the White House, Trump headed for the Situation Room, where he was joined by key administration figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, CENTCOM, General Michael Erik Kurilla.

Also present were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and more, all of whom monitored events until it was clear that the attack was complete.

Just before 8 p.m., Trump announced the success of the mission, declaring the targeted sites and the nuclear capability they represented “totally obliterated.”

Impressively, no Iranian fighters entered the skies during the mission, and no surface-to-air attacks ensued, a testament to the skill and discretion with which the entire endeavor was managed.

The covert nature of the mission was hailed as a marvel of military planning and execution, with even those typically critical of the administration forced to acknowledge the achievement.

Thanks to Susie

According to one administration insider who spoke to the Mail, the linchpin of the entire scenario was Wiles, with the source declaring, “I think it all starts with Susie. She has no tolerance for people who play games, leak on their colleagues, and aren’t team players.”

Former Homeland Security Department special assistant Ashley Davis stated, “Susie Wiles’ leadership as chief of staff has made this one of the most disciplined and effective administrations in recent history,” and hopefully that remains the case as the president continues to navigate the myriad other challenges left behind by the Biden administration.