Fact Check: Did the US Use Indian Airspace to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites?

ByFactcheck India

June 24, 2025

The strike package, consisting of seven B-2 Spirit bombers, launched directly from the continental United States.

The United States used Indian airspace to launch airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer. Fact: The claim is false. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India and the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff have both clarified that Indian airspace was not used for this operation.

Verdict: False

Claim: The United States used Indian airspace to launch airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer.
Fact: The claim is false. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India and the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff have both clarified that Indian airspace was not used for this operation.

The Claim:

Following the high-profile US military operation titled Operation Midnight Hammer, several social media posts went viral alleging that US bombers crossed through Indian airspace en route to Iran to destroy underground nuclear facilities.

The posts, shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp, implied that India was a silent partner or facilitator of the American offensive.

Fact Check:

PIB Clarification:

India’s official Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit took to X to address the growing speculation. It posted:

“Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer.”

Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircrafts against Iran during Operation #MidnightHammer #PIBFactCheck

❌ This claim is FAKE

❌Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation… pic.twitter.com/x28NSkUzEh
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 22, 2025

This statement was made to quash misinformation and maintain transparency regarding India’s geopolitical neutrality.

US Military Confirmation:

In a press briefing from the Pentagon, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, outlined the exact flight paths taken by the American strike aircraft.

He confirmed:

The strike package, consisting of seven B-2 Spirit bombers, launched directly from the continental United States.
To maintain tactical surprise, part of the package moved westward into the Pacific as a decoy.
The actual attack squadron traveled east, avoiding Indian airspace entirely.
The mission used multiple deception tactics, including decoy flights and minimal communications, to avoid detection.

A detailed map and timeline of the operation was shown during the briefing, clearly excluding Indian airspace from the operation route.

What Was Operation Midnight Hammer?

Operation Midnight Hammer was a coordinated US airstrike conducted in response to escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. On Friday night (US time), bombers hit critical nuclear sites including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, dropping Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs)—the heaviest non-nuclear bombs in the US arsenal.

US President Donald Trump later called the strike “a massive success”, warning Iran against further escalation.

Why Was India Dragged Into the Narrative?

India’s strategic location in the region makes it an easy target for speculation during any major conflict involving Iran. However, India has consistently maintained a policy of non-alignment and neutrality, especially in matters involving direct military conflict between two foreign nations.

There is no official agreement that allows foreign military forces to routinely use Indian airspace for offensive operations without public knowledge.

Conclusion:

The viral claim that India allowed the United States to use its airspace for launching strikes on Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer is completely false.

Both the PIB Fact Check and the US military have officially debunked the claim.
No credible military or diplomatic source supports the assertion.
This misinformation appears to be part of an ongoing disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public perception during geopolitical crises.