US Secretary of Defense declares end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions after recent strikes

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that recent airstrikes carried out by American forces have effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

His remarks were made during a joint press conference with General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Hegseth said that President Trump had long maintained that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

He added that, in his view, Iran’s nuclear ambitions had been destroyed thanks to Trump’s decisive and visionary leadership, as well as his firm commitment to the principle of peace through strength.

Hegseth also remarked that while many US presidents had aimed to deal a final blow to Iran’s nuclear programme, only Trump had succeeded in doing so. The US official also clarified that the operation deliberately avoided targeting Iran’s military forces or civilian population. 

"This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth said. "The president authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program."

The US launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 morning. US President Donald Trump stated that a full payload of bombs was dropped on Fordow, calling it the primary target of the operation. Satellite imagery has since revealed visible damage to the entrances of the Fordow facility and to the mountain under which the site is located.

By Naila Huseynova