Image: ln24SA
In a high-stakes Pentagon briefing late Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine publicly revealed the details behind a series of B-2 Spirit bomber strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities. The targets Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan were selected to degrade Iran’s ability to quickly resume uranium enrichment operations.
Standing before a packed press room, Hegseth described the operation as “a preemptive, precision-based deterrent against an imminent nuclear breakout.” General Caine added that the B-2 bombers flew from a classified forward base, delivering bunker-busting munitions during a narrow time window designed to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.
“Each strike was surgically planned to disrupt Iran’s nuclear infrastructure without escalating into a broader war,” Caine stated. “We used the latest ISR intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance data and real-time satellite imagery to confirm target viability before launch.”
The briefing comes just hours after the strikes were confirmed by Iranian state media, which acknowledged “limited structural damage” but vowed a “calibrated response.” As of now, no U.S. personnel casualties have been reported, and all aircraft returned safely.
Hegseth reaffirmed that while the United States does not seek a broader war with Iran, it “will not tolerate nuclear brinkmanship.” He reiterated calls for Iran to return to compliance with international nuclear agreements.
The strikes mark a major turning point in U.S.–Iran relations, with analysts warning of potential escalation across the Gulf region. Heightened alerts have been issued at U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the Middle East.
Despite the show of force, both Hegseth and Caine left the door open to diplomacy. “We are prepared to defend our interests,” said Hegseth, “but we are also open to diplomatic pathways that lead to a safer region and a non-nuclear Iran.”
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