US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Sunday confirmed that America’s recent airstrikes on Iran were not executed to overthrow its government but targeted at crippling its nuclear weapons development infrastructure.
Speaking at a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth labelled the mission as a “precision operation” designed to protect US national interests.
“This mission was never about regime change—neither before, nor now,” Hegseth said, setting the record straight. The operation, dubbed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ was carried out with extreme secrecy and military finesse. According to Hegseth, “It demanded immense precision. The operation involved misdirection and the highest level of operational security. Our B-2 bombers reached Iranian nuclear sites and returned without the world knowing.”
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The strike, launched after months of planning, caused what Hegseth called “significant damage” to Iran’s nuclear programme. However, he was quick to clarify that the scope of the strike was “deliberately limited” — leaving diplomatic doors open. “Iran still has the opportunity to return to the negotiating table,” he said, underscoring the possibility of renewed nuclear talks.
The US national interests at the heart of this mission revolve around concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, especially after a surprise Israeli strike on Iranian territory earlier this month, which the US publicly supported.
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, offered more insights into the covert nature of the mission. He confirmed that B-2 bombers were launched from the US on an 18-hour mission and faced no resistance. “Iran’s fighter jets didn’t take off, and it seems their missile systems never detected us,” Caine revealed.
The operation used high-speed suppression fire, numerous deception tactics, and decoy manoeuvres — all under a tight veil of secrecy. While a full damage assessment is still underway, the Pentagon is calling the mission a “remarkable and overwhelming success.”
Despite the military might on display, the US says it’s still prioritizing diplomacy. “We are sending both public and private messages to Iran, offering every opportunity to return to talks,” said Hegseth.
