The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
“Severe Damage” to Nuclear Infrastructure
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine confirmed that all three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—sustained "extremely severe damage". The attack, carried out with seven B-2 stealth bombers and over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles, is being called the largest B-2 operational strike since 2001.
“Iran’s defense systems did not detect our forces. There were no retaliatory shots during extraction,” Caine emphasized, underscoring the precision and secrecy of the operation.
U.S. Sends Stark Warning, Offers Negotiation Path
In a calculated mix of deterrence and diplomacy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed President Trump’s stance that while “America seeks peace,” any retaliation from Iran will be met with overwhelming force.
“This mission was not about regime change,” Hegseth stated. “It was a precision operation to neutralize a clear threat to the U.S., our troops, and our ally, Israel.”
Hegseth revealed that President Trump had hoped for a diplomatic outcome but was “met by stonewalling.” He said Iran still knows the exact terms under which the U.S.would pursue peace.
“They know precisely what the American position is. The door to the negotiating table remains open.”
Global Concerns and Allies' Response
Asked whether the operation could draw the U.S.into another long-term conflict, Hegseth replied:
“This is not open-ended. The president gave me a clear mission: destroy Iran’s nuclear capability. That’s what we did.”
On potential backlash from allies, Hegseth insisted the U.S. had “worked respectfully and collaboratively” with partners throughout the planning.
What Comes Next
The U.S. military remains on high alert, with rapid response capabilities primed.
The damage assessment is ongoing, but initial intelligence suggests Iran’s most fortified facility at Fordo was critically hit, aided by the use of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)—its first operational deployment.
President Trump is expected to address the nation later this weekend.
Meanwhile, Iran has demanded an emergency UN Security Council meeting, while Turkish and other regional leaders have warned of potential escalation.
As tensions mount, the US message is clear: further aggression will be answered swiftly, but diplomacy remains a real and immediate option.
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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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