Hegseth: US Strikes ‘Obliterated’ Iran’s Nuclear Program, Urges Tehran to Negotiate

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared on Sunday that American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were a decisive success, stating they had “obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaking from the Pentagon, Hegseth emphasized that the operation was not about regime change, but a focused mission aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear threat and encouraging it to pursue diplomacy.

The Pentagon revealed that the operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved 14 bunker-busting bombs, over two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 aircraft. US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed that three major nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—were hit, with Fordo requiring the use of massive bombs only American aircraft can carry.

The strike followed a week of Israeli attacks that crippled Iran’s air defenses, eliminated top military figures and scientists, and damaged nuclear infrastructure. Hours after the US joined the campaign, Iran launched missile salvos at central Israel and Haifa, causing significant damage.

“We devastated the Iranian nuclear program,” Hegseth said, reiterating that the mission targeted infrastructure, not people. “Part of this operation was the defense of Israel, and the ongoing defense of Israel.”

Caine reported that all three targeted facilities suffered “extremely severe damage.” He detailed that seven B-2 Spirit bombers flew 18-hour missions from the US mainland with multiple aerial refuelings, striking undetected. Iran’s air defenses, he said, did not respond during the mission.

The Pentagon also confirmed that the operation included deception tactics, such as a decoy bomber deployment over the Pacific. The real strike path took US bombers across the Mediterranean, through Israeli and Jordanian airspace, and into Iraq before reaching Iranian targets.

Iranian officials claimed afterward that there was no radiation leak, and residents near the nuclear sites were not in danger. “The people of Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo can continue their lives,” said Iranian spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani on state TV.

President Donald Trump warned Tehran of further consequences if it did not back down. “Iran the bully of the Middle East must now make peace,” he said, threatening more strikes if necessary. “Remember, there are many targets left.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by accusing the US and Israel of crossing a “red line” and vowed continued resistance “by all means necessary.” However, Hegseth extended a diplomatic opening, saying Trump “seeks peace” and Iran should take that path.

“This mission was not, and has not, been about regime change,” Hegseth stated. He framed the operation as a measured action designed to neutralize a threat, not to trigger a broader war. “The capabilities of the American military are nearly unlimited,” he warned.

Hegseth noted strong cooperation with Israel, though he clarified that the US strikes were independently led and executed. Gen. Caine added that the US capitalized on Israeli strikes from the prior week but coordinated airspace to avoid overlap.

Israel has described its own ongoing campaign as essential to preventing the Islamic Republic from achieving its goal of destroying the Jewish state. Though Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, Israel says Tehran’s uranium enrichment, obstruction of inspections, and missile development prove otherwise.

In retaliation, Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and around 1,000 drones at Israel. The attacks have so far killed 24 people Hy”d and injured thousands, with some projectiles hitting civilian buildings, a university, and a hospital.

Vice President JD Vance echoed the administration’s stance, telling NBC News the strikes “destroyed the Iranian nuclear program,” but insisted that “we’re not at war with Iran—we’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program.”