In the wake of unprecedented military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, top U.S. officials have sought to contain fears of escalation, insisting that the operation was not intended to unseat the Iranian government. “This is not about regime change,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Sunday. “We’re at war with Iran’s nuclear program — not Iran.”

Vice President J.D. Vance echoed that message on NBC’s "Meet the Press," clarifying, “We are not at war with Iran, we are at war with its nuclear ambitions.”

Inside the Massive Strike: Operation Midnight Hammer

The coordinated assault, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, was carried out by seven U.S. B-2 stealth bombers which flew 18 hours from the U.S., targeting Iran’s deeply buried nuclear sites. The lead aircraft dropped 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs on the Fordow facility, while other bombers struck Natanz and Isfahan.

Fourteen bombs in total were dropped in the span of 25 minutes, accompanied by Tomahawk missile strikes from a U.S. submarine. Officials claim all three sites sustained severe damage, though assessments on Iran’s residual nuclear capabilities are ongoing.

“This was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history,” said Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Trump Urges Talks, Threatens Retaliation

President Trump, in a televised White House address flanked by Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called the mission a “spectacular military success.” He urged Iran to renounce its nuclear program and enter negotiations, warning that “far greater” strikes would follow any retaliation against U.S. forces.

“The scope of this was intentionally limited,” Hegseth emphasized. “But our capabilities are unlimited.”

Iran and the Risk of Wider War

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened retaliatory action, but U.S. officials said no Iranian fighters responded during the strike and no air defenses appeared to activate. “We are being proactive, not reactive,” said Gen. Caine, referencing repositioned U.S. assets across Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf.

Hegseth added, “It would be a very bad idea for Iran or its proxies to attempt to attack American forces.”

While the U.S. stresses its limited objectives, Israel’s leadership has made clear that regime change in Iran is an emerging strategic goal. Prime Minister Netanyahu recently stated that Tehran’s regime must fall, with Israeli air forces already controlling the skies over Iran.

Nevertheless, the Trump administration has told regional allies it will not participate in further war efforts unless Americans are directly attacked. This divergence has raised questions over the alignment of U.S. and Israeli goals in the growing confrontation with Iran.