U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a powerful address at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images
In a decisive move, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth proclaimed that “Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated,” following a targeted strike by the United States against three critical nuclear enrichment facilities.
Hegseth commended President Donald Trump’s directive as “focused, powerful, and clear,” emphasizing that this action was “not about regime change” in Iran. Such clarity is unprecedented in an administration often beset by obfuscation.
He articulated that this precision operation was essential to neutralize threats against our national interests, reaffirming support for our troops and our steadfast ally, Israel. The need for such action underscores the moral and strategic folly of a government that too often allows adversaries to grow in strength.
The subsequent praise from Hegseth was echoed by Trump, who hailed the “destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity” as a monumental step in safeguarding both peace and security. However, the actual repercussions of this strike on Iran’s capabilities remain somewhat uncertain.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, elaborates on the mission during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Gen. Dan Caine, our top military leader, confirmed Sunday that the strikes resulted in “severe damage and destruction” to the facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. However, he refrained from claiming that Iran’s nuclear abilities were entirely “obliterated.”
“Final battle damage will take some time to assess, but initial evaluations make clear that all three sites absorbed extremely severe damage,” Caine reported. This kind of measured response is vital in a climate where the tendency to exaggerate is all too common.
He detailed the timeline of the operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” showcasing the military’s advanced planning and execution involving over 125 aircraft, including stealthy B-2 bombers. The military’s strategic prowess in executing this mission speaks volumes about the potential for American strength when traditional values and free-market principles are embraced.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
