In the aftermath of a major military operation against Iranian nuclear installations, the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, said that the United States had “devastated the Iranian nuclear program”. Launched on the night of June 21 to 22, the operation baptized Midnight hammer targeted three sensitive sites, including the underground installation of Fordo.
Having a “brilliant military success”, Hegseth insisted on the will of President Donald Trump’s peace. “Iran should do the same,” he said, accusing Tehran of having crossed a “red line” by engaging alongside Israel in the regional conflict. Washington justifies this action by the need to block Iran’s access to nuclear weapons.
According to the first evaluations, the strikes reached their targets with precision, inflicting significant damage to key installations. The American chief of staff revealed that 14 anti-bunker bombs were dropped by B-2 stealthy bombers, without meeting resistance in Iranian airspace. American submarines would also have participated in the operation, targeting sites in Ispahan in particular.
The Pentagon is firm: any Iranian response will be greeted by an “even more powerful” response. While dismissing the hypothesis of a regime change, HegSeth reaffirmed that the objective remained strictly military – neutralizing the nuclear infrastructure.
On the diplomatic level, the United States claims to remain open to dialogue. “President Trump is still ready for a diplomatic solution,” said Hegseth, deploring the lack of reaction from Iran with multiple negotiation attempts.
Through these declarations, Washington reaffirms its determination to slow down any progress of the Iranian nuclear program, while maintaining a maximum deterrence posture in the face of any threat in the region.
