US operation against Iran not aimed at regime change, Trump administration says
US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, ecretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at the White House in Washington, DC, June 21, 2025, following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. REUTERS/ Carlos Barria/ Pool
WASHINGTON — The US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites were not a preamble to regime change, senior officials from President Donald Trump's administration said on Sunday, as Washington pushed for Tehran to forgo a military response and negotiate.
"Operation Midnight Hammer" was known only to a small number of people in Washington and at the US military's headquarters for Middle East operations in Tampa, Florida.
Complete with deception, seven B-2 bombers flew for 18 hours from the United States into Iran to drop 14 bunker-buster bombs, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, told reporters.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran against following through with past threats of retaliation against the United States and said US forces would defend themselves.
"This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon.
Vice President JD Vance, in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker" show, said the US was not at war with Iran but rather its nuclear program.
"I think that we have really pushed their program back by a very long time," Vance said, adding that the US "had no interest in boots on the ground."
In total, the US launched 75 precision-guided munitions, including more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military aircraft in the operation against three nuclear sites, Caine said.
The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria.
Damage to facilities
With the damage visible from space after 30,000-pound US bunker-buster bombs crashed into the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site, experts and officials are closely watching how far the strikes might have set back Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Caine said initial battle damage assessments indicated that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction, but he declined to speculate whether any Iranian nuclear capabilities might still be intact.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi was more cautious, saying while it was clear that US airstrikes hit Iran's enrichment site at Fordow, it was not yet possible to assess the damage done underground there.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday that most of the highly enriched uranium at Fordow, the site producing the bulk of Iran's uranium refined to up to 60%, had been moved to an undisclosed location before the US attack there.
Tehran has vowed to defend itself and responded with a volley of missiles at Israel that wounded scores of people and destroyed buildings in its commercial hub Tel Aviv.
But, perhaps in an effort to avert all-out war with the superpower, it had yet to carry out its main threats of retaliation—to target US bases or choke off the quarter of the world's oil shipments that pass through its waters.
Caine said the US military had increased protection of troops in the region, including in Iraq and Syria.
"Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice," Caine said.
The United States already has a sizeable force in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops in the region, including air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can detect and shoot down enemy missiles.
Reuters reported last week that the Pentagon had started to move some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack.
The US State Department on Sunday ordered the departure of family members and non-emergency US government personnel from Lebanon, citing the volatile security situation in the region.
Not open-ended
With his unprecedented decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites, directly joining Israel's air attack on its regional arch foe, Trump has done something he had long vowed to avoid—intervene militarily in a major foreign war.
It was unclear why Trump chose to act on Saturday.
At the press conference, Hegseth said there was a moment in time "where [Trump] realized that it had to be a certain action taken in order to minimize the threat to us and our troops."
After Trump disputed her original assessment, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Friday that the US had intelligence that should Iran decide to do so, it could build a nuclear weapon in weeks or months, an assessment disputed by some lawmakers and independent experts. US officials say they do not believe Iran had decided to make a bomb.
Trump, who insisted on Saturday that Iran must now make peace or face further attacks, could provoke Tehran into retaliating by closing the Strait of Hormuz, attacking US military bases and allies in the Middle East, and activating proxy groups against American and Israeli interests worldwide.
The Iranian parliament approved closing the Strait of Hormuz, a potential choke point for oil shipments, but the country's top security body is required to make a final decision, Iran's press TV reported.
Hegseth, who said the Pentagon notified lawmakers about the operation after US aircraft were out of Iran, said the strikes against Iran were not open-ended.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS' "Face the Nation" that no more strikes were planned, unless Iran responded.
"We have other targets we can hit, but we achieved our objective. There are no planned military operations right now against Iran—unless they mess around," Rubio said. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
an hour ago
- GMA Network
Over 50 OFWs up for repatriation from Israel amid rising tensions —PH envoy
A missile launched from Iran is intercepted as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, June 21, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File photo As tensions flare once again in Israel following missile strikes and heightened regional hostilities, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola confirmed that at least 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are set for voluntary repatriation, with 26 already successfully escorted out through the Jordanian border. In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Monday, Mendiola said that another round of missile alerts forced Filipinos in affected areas to rush into bomb shelters. 'Oo, kalalabas lang namin sa bomb shelter… Just after 3, nagkaroon ng alert na naman,' she said (Yes, we just came out of the bomb shelter… Just after 3 p.m., another alert was issued.) Despite the danger, many Filipinos remain hesitant to return to the Philippines due to economic concerns. 'Isa sa mga naging difficulty namin 'yung nagbabagong-isip sa mga kababayan natin… Kasi 'pag babalik na sila, end of contract na,' she explained. (One of the difficulties we face is the constant change of mind among our nationals… Because returning home means the end of their contracts.) The embassy has been coordinating closely with community leaders to finalize repatriation lists and secure transit visas to Jordan, where OFWs are temporarily hosted before flying home. 'Ang request namin, total 253. Confirmed namin is 50 na susunod i-repatriate,' she said. (We requested a total of 253 for repatriation. We have confirmed 50 who will be the next batch.) Following renewed conflict involving the United States and Iran, the Israeli Home Front Command reimposed strict mobility restrictions, halting work, schools, and public gatherings. Mendiola confirmed that Filipinos, especially caregivers, are heavily affected. Of the 127 OFWs displaced by recent missile strikes, 118 have already been resettled by Israeli authorities, while 32 were recently evacuated from a nursing home hit by collateral damage. 'Buti na lang nakapasok sila sa ground shelter so they're all safe,' Mendiola said. (Thankfully, they were able to take shelter underground and are all safe.) The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also provided alternative shelter options, especially for those hesitant to stay in government-designated relocation sites. As of the latest count, eight OFWs were reported injured. Seven have since been discharged, while one remains in critical condition after undergoing two operations. Mendiola emphasized that communication lines remain stable in Israel. Families in the Philippines can still contact their loved ones via mobile apps and traditional calls. 'Yung internet at telephone lines, okay. Walang palya,' she said. (The internet and telephone lines are working fine.) She urged the public to monitor the official Facebook page PH in Israel and shared the embassy's hotline numbers: +972-544-661-188 +972-50911-4017 To streamline operations and ensure the safety of repatriates, Mendiola appealed to Filipinos to finalize their decisions. ''Pag nagsabi kayong gusto ninyo, huwag na kayong mag-back out para maisara na 'yung listahan,' she said. (If you say you want to be repatriated, please don't back out so we can finalize the list.) She acknowledged the fear among OFWs, many of whom endure daily missile alerts. 'Siyempre mananalangin ka na sana, you live another day,' she said. (Of course, you just pray you get to live another day.) Iran and Israel are currently at Alert Level 3 following armed hostilities between the two countries. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. The Department of Foreign Affairs advised Filipinos in either country to consider repatriation to avoid getting caught in hostile exchanges between the two Middle Eastern countries. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
an hour ago
- GMA Network
US warns against Iran retaliation as Trump raises 'regime change'
A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed miniature of US President Donald Trump in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Sunday raised the question of regime change in Iran following US strikes against key military sites over the weekend, as senior officials in his administration warned Tehran against retaliation. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" Trump wrote on his social media platform. Trump's post came after officials in his administration, including US Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, stressed they were not working to overthrow Iran's government. "This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon, calling the mission "a precision operation" targeting Iran's nuclear program. Vance, in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker," said "our view has been very clear that we don't want a regime change." "We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it's already been built out. We want to end their nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here," Vance said, adding the US "had no interest in boots on the ground." "Operation Midnight Hammer" was known only to a small number of people in Washington and at the US military's headquarters for Middle East operations in Tampa, Florida. Complete with deception, seven B-2 bombers flew for 18 hours from the United States into Iran to drop 14 bunker-buster bombs, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, told reporters. In total, the US launched 75 precision-guided munitions, including more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military aircraft in the operation against three nuclear sites, Caine said. The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and a toppled dictator in Syria. Damage to facilities With the damage visible from space after 30,000-pound US bunker-buster bombs crashed into the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site, experts and officials are closely watching how far the strikes might have set back Iran's nuclear ambitions. Caine said initial battle damage assessments indicated all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction, but he declined to speculate whether any Iranian nuclear capabilities might still be intact. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi was more cautious, saying while it was clear US airstrikes hit Iran's enrichment site at Fordow, it was not yet possible to assess the damage done underground. A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday that most of the highly enriched uranium at Fordow, the site producing the bulk of Iran's uranium refined to up to 60%, had been moved to an undisclosed location before the US attack. Vance told NBC the US was not at war with Iran but rather its nuclear program, and he thought the strikes "really pushed their program back by a very long time." Trump called the damage "monumental," in a separate social media post on Sunday, a day after saying he had "obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites, but gave no details. Tehran has vowed to defend itself and responded with a volley of missiles at Israel that wounded scores of people and destroyed buildings in its commercial hub Tel Aviv. But, perhaps in an effort to avert all-out war with the superpower, it had yet to carry out its main threats of retaliation, to target US bases or choke off the quarter of the world's oil shipments that pass through its waters. Caine said the US military had increased protection of troops in the region, including in Iraq and Syria. The United States already has a sizeable force in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops in the region, including air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can detect and shoot down enemy missiles. Reuters reported last week the Pentagon had started to move some aircraft and ships from bases in the Middle East that may be vulnerable to any potential Iranian attack. Not open-ended With his unprecedented decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites, directly joining Israel's air attack on its regional arch foe, Trump has done something he had long vowed to avoid – intervene militarily in a major foreign war. There were sporadic anti-war demonstrations on Sunday afternoon in some US cities, including New York City and Washington. It was unclear why Trump chose to act on Saturday. At the press conference, Hegseth said there was a moment in time when Trump "realized that it had to be a certain action taken in order to minimize the threat to us and our troops." After Trump disputed her original assessment, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday said the US had intelligence that should Iran decide to do so, it could build a nuclear weapon in weeks or months, an assessment disputed by some lawmakers and independent experts. US officials say they do not believe Iran had decided to make a bomb. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked on CBS' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" whether the US saw intelligence that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had ordered nuclear weaponization, said: "That's irrelevant." Hegseth, who said the Pentagon notified lawmakers about the operation after US aircraft were out of Iran, said the strikes against Iran were not open-ended. Rubio also said no more strikes were planned, unless Iran responded, telling CBS: "We have other targets we can hit, but we achieved our objective. There are no planned military operations right now against Iran – unless they mess around." —Reuters
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
Iran threatens US bases in response to strikes on nuclear sites
People attend a protest against the US attack on nuclear sites, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 22, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Iran on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran's nuclear program, though some officials cautioned that the extent of damage was unclear. With aerial assaults between Iran and Israel raging — including fresh strikes by Israel on what it said were military targets in Iran — the US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert for its citizens traveling or living abroad. International concern focused on fears that the unprecedented US attacks would deepen conflict in the volatile region after Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran earlier this month. Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation. "Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces," he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. "America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences." In a sign of possible nervousness about a wider war, oil prices jumped by more than four percent at one point in early trading in Asia. President Donald Trump urged Iran to end the conflict after he launched surprise strikes on a key underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, along with nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz. "We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the 'bomb' right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)" he said on social media. And while the US president did not directly advocate regime change in the Islamic republic, he openly played with the idea -- even after his aides stressed that was not a goal of American intervention. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing earlier that Iran's nuclear program had been "devastated," adding the operation "did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people." Standing beside Hegseth, top US general Dan Caine said that while it would be "way too early" for him to determine the level of destruction, "initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said his country's military strikes will "finish" once the stated objectives of destroying Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities have been achieved. "We are very, very close to completing them," he told reporters. Tehran protests As Iran's leaders struck defiant tones, President Masoud Pezeshkian also vowed that the United States would "receive a response" to the attacks. People gathered Sunday in central Tehran to protest against US and Israeli attacks, waving flags and chanting slogans. In the province of Semnan east of the capital, 46-year-old housewife Samireh told AFP she was "truly shocked" by the strikes. "Semnan province is very far from the nuclear facilities targeted, but I'm very concerned for the people who live near," she said. In an address to the nation hours after the attack, Trump claimed success for the operation, and Vice President JD Vance followed up Sunday morning. "We know that we set the Iranian nuclear program back substantially last night," Vance told ABC. But he also suggested Iran still had its highly enriched uranium. "We're going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel," he said. "They no longer have the capacity to turn that stockpile of highly enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium." Another Khamenei advisor, Ali Shamkhani, said in a post on X that "even if nuclear sites are destroyed, game isn't over, enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, political will remain." Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that craters were visible at the Fordo facility, but no one had been able to assess the underground damage. Retaliation risk The main US strike group was seven B-2 Spirit bombers that flew 18 hours from the American mainland to Iran. In response to the attack, which used over a dozen massive "bunker buster" bombs, Iran's armed forces targeted sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, with at least 23 people wounded. Nine members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed Sunday in Israeli attacks on central Iran, local media reported, while three people were killed after an ambulance was also struck. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people so far, Iran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, which had been mediating Iran-US nuclear talks, criticized the US strikes and called for de-escalation, while France, Germany and Britain called on Tehran "not to take any further action that could destabilize the region." Late Sunday the US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk. "There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," the security alert said. "The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution." — Agence France-Presse
