Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, describing the United States' "Operation Midnight Hammer" strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as an "incredible and overwhelming success," said that the bombings show the world that when President Donald Trump speaks, "the world should listen."
"It was an incredible and overwhelming success," Hegseth said Sunday at the Pentagon, where he spoke during a press conference with Gen. Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The order we received from our commander in chief was focused. It was powerful, and it was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program."
The operation, he added, came "thanks to President Trump," whose "bold and visionary leadership, and his commitment to peace through strength," led to the obliteration of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Operation Midnight Hammer didn't target Iran's troops or the Iranian people, but Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon, the secretary added.
"Many presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran's nuclear program, and none could," and the operation showed the world "that American deterrence is back," he added.
Hegseth also commented that the U.S. military, "the most powerful military the world has ever known," had the ability to back up Trump's orders.
But Iran has learned that when Trump said a peace agreement must be reached in 60 days, or its nuclear capability would not exist, Trump meant what he said, according to Hegseth.
"President Trump said no nukes," he said, adding that Trump said Saturday night that any retaliation by Iran would be met "with force far greater than what was witnessed" in the nuclear facility bombings.
"Iran would be smart to heed those words," said Hegseth.
He further recognized all military members involved in the operation, saying they performed "flawlessly," and gave recognition to Israel.
"This is a plan that took months and weeks of positioning and preparation so that we could be ready when the president of the United States called," he said. "It took a great deal of precision. It involved misdirection and the highest of operational security."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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