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 Donald Trump claimed U.S. Air Force pilots successfully struck Iran's nuclear facilities, stating they had rehearsed this highly complex mission profile for over two decades.
Trump detailed the operation involved B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, extensive fighter and tanker support for a 37-hour round trip, and asserted perfect precision in hitting targets.
He recognized the flight and ground crews with medals, credited coordination with Israeli partners, and mentioned the Air Force ordered 20 new B-2 aircraft.
The article notes that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have not yet confirmed the extent of the reported damage to Iranian nuclear sites.

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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.