Latest news with #Operation'MidnightHammer
Mint
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
US strikes against Iran not aimed at regime change: Pentagon chief
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the country's military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites were not meant for regime change plans. The US has sent private messages to Tehran before the strikes, encouraging them to negotiate, Hegseth said. Hegseth also warned Iran against retaliation against the United States, and said US forces were postured to defend themselves, and take action if needed. "This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon. The president authorised a precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program, he said. In what has now been called Operation 'Midnight Hammer', the US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US General Dan Cane said at the briefing that initial battle damage assessments indicated that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction, but he declined to speculate whether any Iranian nuclear capabilities might still be intact. The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria. Tehran has vowed to defend itself, and responded with a volley of missiles at Israel that wounded scores of people and destroyed buildings in its commercial hub Tel Aviv. But, perhaps in an effort to avert all-out war with the superpower, it had yet to carry out its main threats of retaliation - to target U.S. bases or choke off the quarter of the world's oil shipments that pass through its waters. The Iranian parliament approved closing the Hormuz strait, a potential choke point for oil shipments, but the country's top security body is required to make a final decision, Iran's press TV reported. Caine said the US military had increased protection of troops in the region, including in Iraq and Syria. This mission was not and has not been about regime change. "Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice," Caine said. Key Takeaways The US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear capabilities without intentions of regime change. Operation 'Midnight Hammer' involved extensive military resources, indicating a serious commitment to US national interests. The situation remains volatile, with potential for further conflict in the region as Iran weighs its options for retaliation.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'When this president speaks, the world should listen': US briefs on Iran strikes codenamed 'Midnight Hammer'
The United States defence department on Sunday briefed the media on Operation 'Midnight Hammer', confirming its success in "obliterating" Iran's nuclear ambitions. It informed that US military conducted targeted strikes at Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz and the operation was being planned for "months". US secretary of defence, Pete Hegseth, categorically hinted at Donald Trump's warnings against Iran's possession of nuclear weapon and said, "When this President speaks, the world should listen, and the US military, we can back it up." "When POTUS says 60 days that he seeks peace and negotiation, he means 60 days of peace and negotiation. Otherwise, that nuclear program, that nuclear capability will not exist. This is not the previous administration. President Trump said no nukes. He seeks peace and Iran should take that path," he added. Follow live updates on Iran-Israel crisis Here are key points from the briefing: Successful strikes: US defense secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed successful precision strikes on Iran's Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, ordered by US President Trump. Strategic planning: The operation was the result of months and weeks of planning and coordination, particularly with Israel, indicating it was not a spontaneous decision. Coordinated effort with Israel: Hegseth credited Israel as a key ally in the operation, acknowledging their role in the joint preparation and execution of the mission. Mission objective: The goal was to destroy or severely degrade Iran's nuclear program; Hegseth said the mission 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear ambitions. No regime change goal: Hegseth clarified that the mission was not aimed at regime change in Iran. No civilian targets: The operation specifically avoided targeting Iranian troops or civilians. Clear deterrence message: The operation was intended to reassert American deterrence and demonstrate that the US will act swiftly and decisively to protect its people, interests, and partners. Trump's longstanding warning: Hegseth emphasized Trump has warned Iran for over a decade against developing nuclear weapons, asserting this operation fulfilled that stance. Military strength: He highlighted the operation as proof of America's unmatched military capability and restored global deterrence. 'Bunker busters' used: The strike featured the longest B-2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001 and marked the first operational use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) — a powerful bunker-busting bomb designed to target deeply buried facilities. Iran's reaction: Iran condemned the strikes as illegal and vowed to continue its nuclear program despite the attack.
