Guests - Stephen Mundt, Betsy Smith

US Strike on Iran's Nuclear Program: Military and Security Implications

Operation Midnight Hammer: A Successful US Military Operation

The United States conducted a significant military operation against Iran over the weekend, striking three nuclear sites in what has been dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer." The operation involved approximately 128 planes, including B-1 bombers, and required multiple aerial refueling operations. From an operational standpoint, it represented a remarkable achievement in military planning and execution.

"What an amazing operation by the United States Air Force," notes retired General Stephen Mundt. "The security that was held and managing to get all of that done without it leaking and getting out to people – spectacular."

The strategic deception involved was particularly noteworthy. US forces sent B-1 bombers west as a diversionary tactic, while the actual strike force approached from the east. Despite the operational challenges, all aircraft successfully reached their targets, delivered their payloads, and returned safely.

Iran's Nuclear Program: More Advanced Than Previously Known

Intelligence reports indicate Iran's nuclear program was significantly more advanced than publicly acknowledged. Recent intelligence revealed major changes in the Supreme Leader's approach to the nuclear program, shifting from merely directing development activities to granting permission for activities that would better position Iran to produce nuclear weapons.

The three targeted sites – Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow – represented critical components of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The Fordow facility, in particular, is known to be deeply buried underground at a depth that remains classified. Intelligence reports indicated Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity at these facilities.

"Going from 60% to 90% [enrichment] is not logarithmic. It happens much faster when you get to that level because you're basically using centrifuges," explains General Mundt. "The latest report comes out and says they had a trigger device. That's a huge step in developing a nuclear weapon."

This revelation suggests Iran was much closer to developing a functional nuclear weapon than previously believed. Additionally, Iran has been rapidly expanding its ballistic missile arsenal. By March 2026, they were expected to possess over 4,000 ballistic missiles, with projections indicating this number would exceed 8,000 by 2028.

Presidential Authority and Decision Timeline

President Trump made the final decision to proceed with the operation while aboard Marine One returning to the White House. The President established clear parameters for the operation, specifying that only the three main nuclear facilities should be targeted. The strikes were not intended to cause mass casualties or effect regime change.

"This was not about taking out people," General Mundt emphasizes. "It was about taking out [nuclear] facilities. And it was not about changing the regime."

Prior to authorizing military action, the administration had pursued diplomatic channels. President Erdogan of Turkey had offered to facilitate negotiations between the United States and Iran, but Iran's Supreme Leader reportedly did not grant permission for Iranian officials to engage in such talks.

Homeland Security Implications: Betsy Smith's Analysis

The Department of Homeland Security has warned officials to be vigilant for potential Iranian-led attacks on US soil over the next three months. These could come from terror cells motivated to retaliate following the strikes.

"It's just a matter of time before there is some local retaliation for the American airstrikes against Iran's nuclear program," warns Betsy Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association. "We need to be in a 9/12/01 mindset in this country right now."

Smith emphasizes that the threat extends beyond traditional attacks to include cyber warfare. "It's not just going to be physical violence," she notes. "Cyber attacks that not just steal data, but absolutely interrupt commerce and interrupt education and interrupt the medical profession – that is a very real danger as well."

A particular concern is the presence of individuals who have entered the United States illegally and may have been radicalized. "We have foreign entities here that want to hurt us. We also have people, some American citizens, as we have seen in other terror attacks over the last couple of decades, just because you're an American citizen doesn't mean you can't be radicalized," Smith explains.

She urges citizens to maintain vigilance and report suspicious activities. "If you see something, say something. And we've seen in the past where people were literally living next door to somebody building bombs and things like that. But they said, 'Oh, well, you know, I thought it was weird, but I didn't want to seem Islamophobic.' Stop with that nonsense."

Law Enforcement Challenges and Public Safety

Smith points to the challenges facing law enforcement agencies nationwide, many of which are significantly understaffed. "This was always part of the plan when you go back to 2020 and the defund the police movement," she observes. "What happened? Lots of cops retired. We can't recruit as many cops as we need."

This staffing shortage comes at a time when security threats are increasing. The National Police Association has documented a 413% increase in assaults on ICE officers, many occurring during protests against immigration enforcement operations.

"These assaults are done very purposely to try to intimidate them into not doing their job," Smith explains. "We had a female ICE agent who was beaten to a pulp by some quote-unquote protesters. We had another ICE agent who looks like he was shot in the head – he was actually hit with a rock."

Michigan Church Shooting Prevented by Security Team

Smith also highlighted a recent incident in Michigan where a potential mass shooting was prevented by a volunteer church security team. A 31-year-old man armed with an AR-style rifle, multiple handguns, and extended magazines attempted to enter a church in Grosse Pointe. The security team engaged the suspect, neutralizing the threat before he could harm any worshippers.

"Something you don't hear about often in the news because the media ignores it – a good guy with a gun stopped a bad guy with a gun," Smith notes. "As we continue to talk about our safety, whether it's from foreign threats, homegrown terrorism, or domestic terrorism, I encourage people to exercise your constitutional rights here in Arizona. And if you feel you want to start carrying a handgun, get trained and exercise your constitutional rights."

Russia and China's Response: International Implications

The military strikes have prompted significant reactions from Russia and China, both of which have been assisting Iran's nuclear program. Russia condemned the US action and has suggested it could provide nuclear warheads to Iran. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iran's foreign minister in Moscow, describing the US strikes as "unprovoked aggression" and stating that Russia was taking steps to assist the Iranian people.

"Russia is within its rights to use Iran as a proxy, just like we used Ukraine," notes General Mundt, highlighting the complex geopolitical implications of the conflict.

China's role is equally concerning. The Chinese government has been purchasing Iranian oil at a significant discount, helping to sustain Iran's economy despite international sanctions. Reports indicate a Chinese aircraft landed in Tehran shortly after the US strikes, though the nature of its cargo remains unknown.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities had "damaged Washington's credibility" and warned the situation "may go out of control."

Middle East Dynamics and Regional Responses

Qatar has already experienced the fallout from the conflict, with Iran targeting a US military base on Qatari soil. Iran's military claimed to have carried out a "devastating and powerful missile attack" on the US facility in Doha. However, Qatari officials reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles, and there were no casualties.

Smith sees this as part of a potentially significant shift in regional dynamics: "It used to be kind of the Muslim world versus the Jewish world. But now so many of these Muslim countries are getting tired, finally, of being bullied by Iran."

She also points to the plight of Iranian citizens, particularly women, under the current regime. "When you and I were teenage girls, the atmosphere, the rights of women in Iran were so very different. Women were very much involved in politics and in business. Not until fundamentalism came back to Iran when you and I were in college did things get so dastardly in Iran."

"For Iran to regain its footing, partially to free the women in that country because they are just kept covered, but they are kept down. They don't get to choose their education. They don't get to choose their profession. And they are little more than chattels," Brantner-Smith adds. "Any of you folks who think, 'Oh, it's the Handmaid's Tale here in the United States,' it really is the Handmaid's Tale in a country like Iran."

Israel Continues Operations Against Iranian Targets

Israel has continued to conduct its own operations against Iranian targets following the US strikes. The Israeli military reported striking several airports and access routes near Iran's enrichment site at Fordow, which the US had bombed the previous day.

The Israeli approach to these operations contrasts with Iran's tactics. "Israel is playing by the rules of war, and Iran does not play by those rules," notes Kathleen Winn. "Iran clearly is attacking civilian targets and then they're trying to cover them up."

As the situation continues to evolve, military experts suggest that Israel is seeking to wrap up its operations against Iran soon, while maintaining its capability to respond to any further provocations.