Trump: U.S. Pilots Practiced Iran Strike for Decades

President describes yearslong training and precise execution of B-2 bombing run.

Ryan Ewing

Tuesday, November 04, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

B-2 Spirit undergoes refueling. [Credit: Senior Airman Keith James, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Key Takeaways:

President Trump claimed U.S. Air Force pilots executed a highly complex strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, a mission they had reportedly rehearsed for over two decades.
He detailed the operation, involving B-2 stealth bombers, extensive air support, and 52 tanker aircraft for a 37-hour round trip, claiming every target was hit precisely.
Trump stated the aviators told him he was the only president to authorize the mission, and he awarded medals to the crews, though the International Atomic Energy Agency has not yet confirmed the extent of the damage.

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President Donald Trump said U.S. Air Force pilots who carried out this year’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities had been rehearsing the mission profile for more than two decades, describing it as one of the most complex operations ever undertaken by American forces.

In an interview broadcast Sunday on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said he invited the pilots, mechanics, and support crews involved in the mission to the White House following the June operation.