The Indian government has strongly denied circulating social media posts alleging that the United States used Indian airspace to carry out military strikes on Iran under ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’.
In a post on X, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) categorically labelled the claim as false, asserting that Indian airspace was not involved in the US-led military action.
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
The misinformation began circulating after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that American forces had successfully executed airstrikes targeting Iran’s key nuclear sites.
During a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth described the attacks as having ‘devastated the Iranian nuclear programme’.
US President Donald Trump gave direct orders for the mission, which the military carried out with utmost secrecy.
PIB issues official denial
The PIB addressed the matter directly, stating, “Several social media accounts are claiming that the United States used Indian airspace to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is false. The United States did not use Indian airspace during Operation Midnight Hammer.”
The post also cited General Dan Caine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who clarified the actual flight route of the US military aircraft, thereby debunking the allegation.
According to US officials, the coordinated assault involved over 125 aircraft, including advanced B-2 stealth bombers.
The operation deployed 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs and more than 30 Tomahawk missiles, targeting Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
US President Donald Trump lauded the strike as a ‘spectacular military success’.
In a televised address, he said, “Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
US vows to remain open to diplomacy
Despite the strikes, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington remains open to diplomacy with Tehran.
In an interview, he warned that retaliation from Iran would be a catastrophic mistake. He added, “If Iran attacks American troops, it would seriously escalate the conflict.”
Hegseth also warned Iran against any retaliation. He said such action would trigger a response “far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
He emphasised, “This is not the previous administration. President Trump has made it clear—no nukes. He seeks peace, and Iran should follow that path.”
The Indian government’s swift response aims to curb the spread of misinformation and reiterate India’s non-involvement in foreign military operations.
As tensions escalate between the US and Iran, India remains a neutral observer, focused on regional stability and factual clarity.
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