The US defense chief said Sunday that strikes ordered by President Donald Trump overnight had "devastated" Iran's nuclear program and urged Iranian leaders to seek peace to avoid further attacks.
"We devastated the Iranian nuclear program," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing.
He added that the operation "did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people," highlighting the success of the mission. He further warned that any Iranian response would be met with even greater force, underscoring the United States' readiness to escalate if necessary.
Trump "seeks peace, and Iran should take that path," Hegseth said.
"This mission was not, and has not, been about regime change," he added.
He stated that the operation, which targeted Iran's nuclear program, had been months in the making and was a clear demonstration of America's renewed deterrence.
"The president authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self-defense of our troops and our ally Israel."
Hegseth also addressed broader geopolitical concerns, noting that President Donald Trump is committed to pursuing peace, but stressed that Iran must do the same. The defense secretary's remarks reaffirmed the U.S. stance on preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions while maintaining a firm posture of deterrence in the face of any retaliation.
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