In a recent US Department of Defense press briefing, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine discussed a critical role played by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in its role targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, namely Fordow, in June 2025.
The operation was deemed as a success, in part due to DTRA, with the Pentagon and US forces believing that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been neutralized and set back by years.
DTRA, which is part of the Department of Defense, is tasked with leading the charge against global threats related to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.
As the world’s leading expert on deeply buried underground targets, DTRA played an integral role in planning the strike on Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow facility, a site long suspected of being central to Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
For over 15 years, DTRA’s specialized officers meticulously studied the Fordow site, gathering intelligence and developing a deep understanding of the target.
As Gen. Caine explained, the two officers tasked with monitoring Fordow’s progress – who had no choice but to keep their findings secret – focused on every detail of the construction, materials, and methods used by Iran to fortify the site.
The goal was clear: develop a weapon capable of penetrating the facility’s deep underground bunkers and eliminating the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
This effort culminated in the development of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound (13,608 kg.) bomb designed to penetrate up to 200 feet (61 m.) of reinforced concrete.
The operation, code-named Operation Midnight Hammer, successfully utilized the MOP, which experts call “one of the most sophisticated and effective military strikes in recent history.”
DTRA's expertise in neutralizing nuclear threats
The DTRA’s expertise extends far beyond just this mission. The agency is responsible for studying and neutralizing threats posed by nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons worldwide.
DTRA’s focus on advanced weaponry and strategic intelligence collection has made it a cornerstone of the US Department of Defense’s global defense strategy.
The agency’s continuous work in evaluating deeply buried threats, such as Iran’s nuclear sites, provides US forces with the capability to respond effectively to the growing challenges posed by adversarial states with access to WMDs.
During the recent operation, the DTRA team’s understanding of Fordow’s construction was vital in selecting the right weapon for the job.
The team worked alongside military planners to ensure that the GBU-57 MOP would target the site’s key structural weaknesses, such as ventilation shafts and exhaust systems. Despite Iran’s efforts to reinforce the facility, the strike successfully penetrated the complex, rendering it inoperable – and significantly delaying Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The success of the operation underscores the importance of agencies such as DTRA in safeguarding national and global security. The precision and capability demonstrated by DTRA’s intelligence community in coordinating such a high-stakes mission exemplify the agency’s crucial role in countering emerging threats.
Hegseth highlighted the historic nature of the operation, emphasizing that the strike was not just a military success, but also a diplomatic milestone.
The attack on Fordow and its opportunity to bring about peace negotiations
The attack on Fordow, which eliminated a significant component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, created an opportunity for peace negotiations in a region long plagued by instability.
“We’ve created the conditions for a ceasefire, for a deal that prevents a nuclear Iran,” Sec. Hegseth remarked. “This is the kind of decisive action that only America can take, thanks to the capabilities of agencies like DTRA.”
As the US military continues to demonstrate unparalleled effectiveness in dealing with high-threat environments, DTRA remains at the forefront of these efforts. By providing critical intelligence, technological support, and strategic guidance, the agency ensures that US forces are prepared to neutralize the world’s most dangerous threats, no matter where they may emerge.
With the success of Operation Midnight Hammer and DTRA’s invaluable contributions, the global community is reminded of the United States’ unmatched military capabilities and the ongoing importance of specialized agencies dedicated to preserving peace and security worldwide.