US strikes on Iran not aimed at regime change, Pentagon chief says
A poster of "Operation Midnight Hammer" is displayed during a Pentagon briefing June 22 after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities. (Defense Department/via Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. military's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites were not a preamble to plans for regime change, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday, adding that private messages had been sent to Tehran encouraging them to negotiate.
Still, Hegseth warned Iran against following through with past threats of retaliation against the United States, and said U.S. forces were postured to defend themselves and take action if needed.
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