How an Ohio-Class Submarine Became Key in the Iran Strike Operation

On the evening of June 21, at approximately 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine launched a series of Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting key infrastructure facilities in Isfahan, Iran.

Following the missile deployment, a coordinated aerial assault involving fighter jets and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers took place over Iran, culminating in the targeted destruction of Iranian nuclear installations using 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, also known as bunker-busting bombs.

While the use of B-2 bombers and bunker-busters has been a focal point in discussions about this operation, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, the role of the Ohio-class submarine has also been significant.

Although the specific submarine involved has not been disclosed, Navy Secretary John Phelan confirmed in a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday that it was indeed an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine that executed the operation with notable success, significantly impairing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The Element of Stealth and Surprise

Originally designed as a ballistic missile submarine, the Ohio class is powered by a nuclear reactor and was intended to carry ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads.

Measuring 560 feet in length, the Ohio class can submerge deeper than 800 feet and travel at speeds exceeding 25 knots. It has a crew capacity including 15 officers and about 144 enlisted personnel.

Four submarines of the Ohio class were converted into guided-missile variants capable of executing conventional land attacks and supporting Special Forces operations, specifically the submarines named Ohio, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan.

One of these guided-missile submarines was responsible for launching the strikes on Iran.

As guided-missile submarines, each Ohio-class vessel has been reconfigured internally to transport over 66 special operations forces (SOF) personnel and various underwater vehicles. Furthermore, these submarines are designed to launch up to 154 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, typically equipped with about 22 missile tubes.

It is the stealth capabilities, more than the sheer firepower, that render the Ohio-class submarines—whether armed with nuclear warheads or Tomahawk missiles for land attacks—exceptionally formidable. Built to last and evade detection, they require minimal maintenance and are a key part of the U.S. strategic nuclear triad.

The flexibility of the Tomahawk missile played a crucial role in Operation Midnight Hammer. These missiles can precisely penetrate air defenses to hit targets from more than 1,000 miles away and can be redirected mid-flight if necessary.

Tomahawk missiles were also recently employed in Operation Rough Rider against Houthi rebels and were launched continuously from the aircraft carrier Harry Truman during over 50 days of combat operations.

While other naval vessels could have carried out the strikes, the selection of an Ohio-class submarine ensured a potent combination of firepower and the element of surprise, thereby underscoring the effectiveness of the U.S. maritime-based nuclear deterrent.

Despite its integral role in the strike, the Ohio class is slated for replacement. The first of the Navy’s 14 Ohio-class submarines will reach the end of its service life by 2027, prompting the urgent development of its successor, the Columbia-class submarine.

However, the production of the Columbia-class has encountered delays. Admiral James Kilby, the acting chief of naval operations, informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the delivery of the Columbia is anticipated to be delayed by approximately two years, now expected around March 2029.