In the aftermath of a coordinated U.S. military strike on three Iranian nuclear sites, the Trump administration has signaled a willingness to return to the negotiating table with Tehran, emphasizing that the operation was not aimed at regime change but at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The strikes, conducted under the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. U.S. officials said the mission achieved its primary objective of severely damaging Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, while avoiding civilian casualties and military escalation—for now.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed reporters on Sunday morning, asserting that the strikes met no resistance and were successful due to deception tactics that confused Iran’s defenses.
“This mission was not and has not been about regime change,” Hegseth said. “It was about preventing a nuclear threat.” Gen. Caine added that the damage was “extremely severe” and likely set back Iran’s nuclear program by several years.
The U.S. airstrikes followed a series of Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear assets earlier this month, which prompted retaliatory strikes from Tehran. With tensions already at a boiling point, the U.S. decision to directly target Iran’s nuclear facilities marked a significant escalation.
Hegseth explained that the operation was launched on Saturday evening, Washington time, with 14 bunker-buster bombs dropped from B-2 bombers. These aircraft were deployed alongside fighter jets and diversion tactics, which ensured Iran’s air defenses were effectively neutralized. “Iran’s fighters did not fly, and it appears that their missile systems did not detect us,” Gen. Caine confirmed.
U.S. officials insisted only nuclear-related targets were hit, but the fallout has already reverberated across the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a “gross violation of sovereignty and international law” and warned of retaliation.
“They crossed a very big red line,” Araghchi said at a press conference in Turkey. “I don’t know how much room is left for diplomacy.”
China and Russia joined Iran in condemning the attack, with Moscow calling it “a gross violation of international law.” Both countries emphasized the need for a political and diplomatic resolution. Turkey warned that the conflict risked escalating to “a global level.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the U.K. was moving military assets into the region to protect its citizens and allies. Meanwhile, leaders from France, Germany, Canada, and Italy all called for a rapid return to negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron also held emergency talks with regional players, including the Saudi crown prince and the Sultan of Oman.
The Trump administration’s actions appear timed with precision, not only militarily but politically. Hegseth noted that the 60-day timeline Trump had previously set for negotiations was exhausted. “Iran found out—when he says 60 days, he means it,” Hegseth stated.
However, the attack risks further economic instability. With tensions rising in the Persian Gulf, concerns have grown that Iran may attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil is transported. Oil prices have already surged by 21% over the past month, echoing inflation fears last seen during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Although no new details were offered about the extent of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the administration’s messaging remains consistent: force was used as a final measure to reset negotiations.
Whether Iran is willing to return to the table remains uncertain. But for now, the U.S. is signaling that it has accomplished its immediate goals—and is ready to talk.
