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With the world reeling after Trump’s attack on Iran, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that the operation was only about ending Tehran’s ambitions for nuclear weapons
Donald Trump’s administration “does not seek war” and is not trying to create regime change, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed after the president authorised a stunning attack on Iran.
With the world reeling over the stealth bomber raids on three nuclear sites - dubbed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ - President Trump claimed he had “completely obliterated” Iran’s chances of obtaining nuclear weapons.
But despite Mr Hegseth’s comments on Sunday, the attacks have prompted the UK and others into organising repatriation flights for citizens from Israel, Iran and surrounding countries amid fears of all-out war.
Click here for the latest on the ongoing conflict.
UK bases in Cyprus are on high alert with the theocratic regime in Tehran vowing revenge on America and her allies.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced he will fly to Moscow for meetings with Vladimir Putin on Monday. Meanwhile, Iran let off another barrage of missiles at Israel while US allies took stock of the latest round of international turmoil.
Mr Trump’s methods - which appear to have been kept secret from all but a close inner circle - were condemned by UN Secretary General António Guterres.
In a statement, he said: “I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
The attack came despite Mr Trump apparently assuring fellow G7 leaders in Canada last week that he was seeking de-escalation.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer held an emergency Cobr meeting with senior members of the government in London but backed the president’s sudden move. A similar security meeting took place in France chaired by president Emmanuel Macron.
The two also joined German chancellor Friedrich Merz in an E3 joint call between the UK, France and Germany. UK foreign secretary David Lammy called other allies.
But Mr Hegseth admitted that knowledge of the attack had been kept to a very small group within the administration and leaders of allies were only told about it when the bombers were on their way home.
On a day of drama, the US defense secretary appeared with General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, at a press conference in the Pentagon.
Seeking to appease anger among isolationists in Mr Trump’s rightwing MAGA base, he praised the president’s “brilliant leadership”.
"The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this President speaks, the world should listen," Mr Hegseth said.
He admitted the operation with stealth B-2 bombers “had been planned for weeks” and spoke of the “deliberate deception” used to distract from Operation Midnight Hammer.
This has led to speculation that Trump apparently agreeing to de-escalation at the G7 summit last week and giving Iran two weeks to get back to negotiations on Friday was in fact part of the deception.
The US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top U.S. general, General Caine.
But despite the surprise attack overnight on Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Hegseth insisted America "does not seek war" and denied there was a desire to force regime change.
Hegseth said it was important to note that U.S. strikes did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people, a veiled effort to indicate to Iran that they don't want retaliation on American targets in the region.
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.
"Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated," Hegseth told reporters in a briefing, adding that said the strikes did not target Iranian troops or people.
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"The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks, the world should listen," Hegseth said.
vice president J.D. Vance reiterated the message in a broadcast interview describing it as “an incredibly targeted attack” but admitted it is “an incredibly delicate moment.”
He added that Iran responding by attacking US troops would be “the stupidest thing in the world” which would be “met with overwhelming force.”
Offering Tehran advice he added: “If the Iranians are smart they are going to have to look in the mirror and say ‘maybe we are not so good at this war thing, let’s give peace a chance, let’s drop our nuclear weapons program and start to make some smart decisions.’”
Earlier, Iran’s regime vowed revenge and accused America of breaching international law.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: "This aggression showed that the United States is the primary instigator of the Zionist regime's hostile actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"Although they initially tried to deny their role, after our armed forces' decisive and deterrent response and the Zionist regime's clear incapacity, they were inevitably forced to enter the field themselves." Foreign Minister Mr Araghchi announced he would seek aid from Russia in person.
"We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions," he said, referring to Russia.
The attack delighted Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had initiated military action against Iran more than a week ago claiming it was days away from having nuclear weapons.
“Congratulations, President Trump,” he said. “Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history... History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons."
An Israeli official has suggested that Iran had enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs and could have turned it to weapons grade level “in a matter of days.”
Former UK security minister Tom Tugendhat pointed out that if Iran had been successful it could have hit London with nuclear armed ballistic missiles.
But leftwing MPs in the UK including independent former Labour MP Zara Sultana accused the US of “warmongering” and the UK of “acting like an American poodle”.
Sir Keir gave his support for the raid saying Iran should “never be allowed nuclear weapons”.
In a statement the prime minister said: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis”.
