US Defense Sec.: Iranian nuclear ambitions neutralized

WASHINGTON, June 22 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that "precision strikes" targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities under an operation named "Midnight Hammer" have "neutralized Iran's nuclear ambitions." Speaking during a joint press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane at the Pentagon, Hegseth stated that US Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out a "precision strike" at midnight against three nuclear sites in Iran, aimed at "destroying or severely degrading" the Iranian nuclear program.
He described the result as a "tremendous and overwhelming success." He added that the Pentagon received a "focused and powerful" directive from US President Donald Trump, affirming that "it was evident we dismantled the Iranian nuclear program." He noted that President Trump's "bold and perceptive leadership, and his commitment to peace through strength," had brought an end to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Hegseth stressed that the operation, planned by President Trump, "did not target Iranian forces or the Iranian people," but that it was "bold and demonstrated to the world that American deterrence has returned." He reiterated President Trump's earlier warning that any Iranian response to the US "would be met with significantly greater force than what was seen last night," adding, "Iran would be wise to heed these words." The Secretary of Defense said the CENTCOM-led operation was based on a plan that took months and weeks of preparation and positioning, especially after the US President emphasized that it would require "a high degree of precision." He noted that the mission involved a "deception plan and the highest levels of operational security," explaining that US B-2 bombers "reached and returned from the nuclear sites without the world's knowledge." "It was a historic strike, involving the longest B-2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001, and marked the first operational use of the massive bunker-penetrating bomb," he said.
Furthermore, Hegseth emphasized that Washington "does not seek war" but would "act swiftly and decisively whenever our people, partners, or interests are threatened." He declined to provide details regarding protective measures taken for US forces in the Middle East, saying, "I will not comment on force protection steps in the region. What I will say is that we take proactive measures to ensure everything possible is done to protect our forces there." When asked whether there was ongoing communication between the US and Iran or any prospects for diplomatic engagement, Hegseth replied, "I can only confirm that both public and private messages have been delivered directly to the Iranians through multiple channels, providing them every opportunity to come to the negotiating table." He added that the Iranians "fully understand the US position and the steps they can take to achieve peace, and we hope they choose to take those steps." Commenting on whether the US is prepared for a long-term conflict with Iran, Hegseth stated, "Anything is possible in a conflict, we acknowledge that, but the scope of this operation was deliberately limited," referring to the goal of eliminating Iran's nuclear program as "the red line" set by President Trump to move toward peace.
Regarding whether the US Congress had been informed of the military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, Hegseth confirmed, "Congress was informed after the aircraft were safely clear and after we complied with notification requirements under the War Powers Act. They were notified immediately thereafter." On his part, General Dan Kane focused on the precision of Operation Hammer and its evasion of Iranian air defenses.
He said that the US used approximately 75 precision-guided munitions during the operation, including 14 GBU-class bombs weighing 30,000 pounds and 57 heavy bunker-penetrating bombs, marking "the first-ever operational use of this weapon." Regarding assessments of the operation's outcome, Kane stated that "it will take some time," but early battle damage assessments indicate all three targeted sites sustained "severe and extensive destruction." He added that more than 125 US aircraft participated in the mission, including B-2 stealth bombers, fifth-generation fighter jets, dozens of aerial refuelling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and a full array of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.
Kane noted that the operation was executed "with minimal communication," and explained that Iranian fighter jets "did not take off" and that Iranian surface-to-air missile systems "did not detect us throughout the mission-we maintained the element of surprise." Responding to a question about whether the operation was conducted independently or in coordination with Israeli forces, Kane said, "we benefited from some preparatory work carried out over the past week and a half. I won't go into specifics, but as Secretary Hegseth said, this was an American strike." Earlier today, the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, marking the first direct US military action since the beginning of conflict between Israeli occupation forces and Iran. (end) rsr.mjb.bb