Pete Hegseth: We destroyed Iran's nuclear program, will respond fiercely to any retaliation
Hegesth: "Any retaliatory action by Iran against the U.S. will be met with far greater force than what you saw tonight ... Let me be clear – we will act decisively if our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened. Iran must listen to President Trump."
Twitter
In a bold Pentagon briefing, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that overnight strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, had "destroyed" Iran's nuclear program. Ordered by President Donald Trump and executed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the attacks targeted key uranium enrichment facilities, marking a dramatic escalation in the U.S.-Israel campaign against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
"Last night’s operation was a tremendous success," Hegseth said, emphasizing that no civilian infrastructure or lives were harmed. He credited Trump’s "focused, powerful, and clear" leadership for delivering a blow that he claimed obliterated Iran’s ability to pursue nuclear weapons. While independent verification of the damage remains limited, Hegseth’s remarks echo Trump’s assertion that the sites were "completely and totally obliterated."
Hegseth said, "Last night, under President Trump's orders, we struck three nuclear facilities in Iran in the middle of the night: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, to destroy or severely damage the nuclear program. It was an extraordinary success.We destroyed Iran's nuclear program ... As Trump said, the U.S. does not want war, but we will respond with strikes if our people, partners, or interests are threatened – Iran needs to listen to this ... Any retaliatory action by Iran against the U.S. will be met with far greater force than what you saw tonight ...
As the President directed, this is not an open-ended war. If attacked, we will defend ourselves, but the mission was clear: destroy Iran's nuclear program. That mission was executed smoothly. The regime must understand: the President wants peace ... Iran must come to the negotiating table. We do not want them to have nuclear weapons. I can confirm that messages were sent to Iran through multiple channels urging them to enter talks."
Vice President J.D. Vance added, "We are not seeking regime change in Iran ... focus remains solely on stopping the nuclear threat."
The strikes, which involved B-2 Stealth Bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. Navy submarines, come amid heightened tensions following Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities since June 13.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as "outrageous," accusing Trump of betraying diplomacy and warning of "everlasting consequences." Posts on X reflect Iran’s defiant stance, with state media broadcasting calls for national unity and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowing unprecedented repercussions.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20-26% of global oil, remains a focal point of concern. Despite Iran’s denial of plans to close the Strait, some speculate that Tehran could disrupt shipping with mines, missiles, or drones in retaliation, potentially spiking oil prices to $100-$150 per barrel and threatening Gulf states’ water supplies. However, analysts note Iran’s economic reliance on the Strait makes a full closure unlikely unless the regime faces existential threats.
As global reactions pour in, Pakistan condemned the strikes, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged de-escalation, Hegseth’s briefing explains Trump’s resolve to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. Yet, with Iran vowing retaliation and the region on edge, the risk of a wider conflict looms large.