US not at war with Iran despite ‘Operation Midnight Hammer' attack, says Pentagon
In March, the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before Congress that the US assessment was that 'Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader [Ali] Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003.'
Even so, Vance told NBC's Meet the Press that the strikes had 'really pushed [Iran's] program back by a very long time. I think that it's going to be many, many years before the Iranians are able to develop a nuclear weapon.'
The Pentagon did not provide any new details about Iran's nuclear capabilities, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday claimed – again without evidence – that Iran has highly enriched uranium in sufficient quantities to make at least nine or 10 bombs.
Rubio also claimed the world was safer and more stable than it had been prior to the US attack.
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Negotiations could be back on, says Vance
Vance claimed the US had 'negotiated aggressively' with Iran to try to find a peaceful settlement and that US President Donald Trump made his decision after assessing the Iranians were not acting 'in good faith.'
'I actually think it provides an opportunity to reset this relationship, reset these negotiations and get us in a place where Iran can decide not to be a threat to its neighbours, not to a threat to the United States and if they're willing to do that, the United States is all ears,' Vance said.
He said it would make sense for Iran to come to the negotiating table and give up their nuclear weapons program. 'If they're willing to do that, they're going to find a willing partner in the United States of America,' he said.
However, Iran showed no indication of any desire to negotiate, describing the US attack as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, and vowing to defend itself through retaliatory measures.
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 defence systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can detect and shoot down enemy missiles.
Much of the world is absorbing the consequences of the strikes and the risk that they could lead to more fighting across the Middle East. Airstrikes starting on June 12 by Israel that targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and generals prompted immediate retaliation from Iran.
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The White House had said in a statement from Trump on Friday morning (AEST) that the president could take as long as two weeks to determine whether the US would enter the fray in support of Israel. In the end, it took less than a weekend for America to strike.
The region has already been aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and a toppled dictator in Syria.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Washington would be held responsible for whatever actions Tehran may now take in response. 'They crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities,' he said at a news conference in Turkey. 'I don't know how much room is left for diplomacy.'
Both Russia and China condemned the US attack. Araghchi said he would travel to Moscow for a Monday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement warned about the risk of the conflict spreading beyond the Middle East to 'a global level.'
Israeli attacks paved way for American assault
The US benefited from Iran's weakened air defences as it was able to conduct the attacks without resistance from Iran, the Pentagon said.
'Iran's fighters did not fly and it appears that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission,' Caine said.
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