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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