US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities 'Highly Classified' Mission, Pentagon Says
14:17 22.06.2025 (Updated: 14:58 22.06.2025)
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The operation, codenamed Midnight Hammer, required great precision and a feint in which B-2 bombers operated as decoys to provide the highest operational security, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
Pentagon chief Hegseth said the US "destroyed Iran's nuclear program," but added the strikes were not aimed at Iranian troops or civilians
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were not intended to change the regime in Iran.
"This mission has not been about regime change. The President [Donald Trump] 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 said during a press briefing.
The strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were a highly classified mission, known only to an extremely small number of people, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said on Sunday.
"This was a highly classified mission with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of this plan," Caine said.
"It took a great deal of precision. It involved misdirection and the highest of operational security. Our B-2's went in and out of... these nuclear sites, in and out and back, without the world knowing at all," Hegseth said.
He clarified that B-2 Spirit strategic bombers and bunker buster bombs were used in the attack on Iran.
Hegseth added that the US is not looking for a war with Iran, but is ready to resolutely "defend" its interests and allies in the region.
He clarified that B-2 Spirit strategic bombers and bunker buster bombs were used in the attack on Iran.
Hegseth added that the US is not looking for a war with Iran, but is ready to resolutely "defend" its interests and allies in the region.
"The United States does not seek war, but let me be clear, we will act swiftly and decisively, when our people, our partners or our interests are threatened," Hegseth told a press conference.
The Pentagon warned Iran that any retaliation will be met with force "far greater" than the strikes the US conducted against Iran's nuclear facilities.
"Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight," Hegseth said.
The United States is conveying both public and private messages to Iran, encouraging Tehran to return to the negotiating table in the aftermath of the US strikes on its nuclear facilities, he added.
"I can only confirm that there are both public and private messages being directly delivered to the Iranians in multiple channels, giving them every opportunity to come to the table. They [the Iranians] understand precisely what the American position is, precisely what steps they can take to allow for peace, and we hope they do so," Hegseth said during a press briefing.
