Press Conference on U.S. Military Action in Iran
On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the media at the Pentagon. This was in response to recent U.S. airstrikes targeting key Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, following heightened tensions in the Iran-Israel conflict.
During the briefing, Hegseth emphasized the strength of the U.S. military, describing the operation as a significant show of force. “The operation President Trump planned was bold, and it was brilliant,” he stated, noting that it signaled a return of American deterrence on the global stage. According to him, the U.S. military is unmatched in its capabilities.
After Hegseth’s remarks, Caine took the podium to detail the mission, codenamed ‘Midnight Hammer.’ He explained that the operation began with a coordinated strike package of B-2 bombers launched from the continental U.S., emphasizing the critical element of surprise, which included a decoy operation managed by a select few planners.
Caine elaborated on the complexities involved, mentioning how the B-2s coordinated with escort aircraft in a meticulously timed maneuver through a narrow airspace, despite limited communication. “This type of integration is exactly what our Joint Force does better than anyone else in the world,” he added.
The operation also involved a U.S. submarine launching Tomahawk missiles at infrastructure targets in Isfahan. As the mission progressed into Iranian airspace, the U.S. implemented various deception tactics, such as using decoy aircraft to mitigate threats from potential enemy defenses.
By around 6:40 p.m. EST, the leading B-2 released two GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow site, with 14 bombs ultimately hitting all three targeted facilities. However, Caine remarked that it remains too early to assess the full extent of the damage.
When pressed by reporters, Hegseth reiterated that the strike did not aim for regime change in Iran. “This mission was not about regime change,” he clarified, highlighting that the objective was to mitigate threats linked to the Iranian nuclear program and safeguard U.S. interests as well as those of Israel.
He also stated that President Trump seeks peace but felt compelled to act after assessing that Iran should not be allowed to retain nuclear capabilities. In response to questions regarding Israel’s role in the strikes, Hegseth confirmed it was a U.S.-initiated mission, while acknowledging Israel’s significant contributions in countering Iranian threats.
“It’s been incredible to watch what our ally Israel has been able to do,” he mentioned, while affirming that the operations were led and carried out by U.S. forces.
