Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Claims of "Obliterated" Iranian Nuclear Program After Major U.S. Strikes
Washington, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under mounting scrutiny following his announcement that U.S. military strikes, codenamed "Operation Midnight Hammer," had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear ambitions. The operation, executed late Saturday into Sunday, targeted three major Iranian nuclear enrichment sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—with over 125 aircraft, including B-2 bombers and more than 75 precision-guided munitions.
At a Sunday morning Pentagon briefing, Hegseth hailed the strikes as "an incredible and overwhelming success," echoing President Donald Trump’s assertion that Iran's nuclear program had been "devastated" and its enrichment capabilities "destroyed." Hegseth emphasized that the mission was "not about regime change" but aimed at neutralizing threats to U.S. national interests and ensuring the collective defense of U.S. forces and allies, particularly Israel.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that the targeted facilities suffered "extremely severe damage and destruction." However, he stopped short of confirming that Iran's nuclear capacity was fully "obliterated," noting that a comprehensive battle damage assessment was still underway. Satellite images reviewed by independent analysts reportedly showed significant cratering at the Fordo site, but the Pentagon has yet to release detailed evidence supporting the administration’s sweeping claims.
The operation did not target Iranian troops or civilians, and U.S. officials stated that Iran did not fire at American bombers during the mission. Hegseth and other top officials reiterated that the U.S. does not seek war with Iran, with Vice President JD Vance stating, "We're at war with Iran's nuclear program," not with Iran itself.
Despite the administration's strong rhetoric, the full impact of the strikes remains uncertain. Critics, including former Pentagon officials, have raised concerns about the accuracy of Hegseth’s statements and the lack of concrete evidence. The situation has also heightened tensions in the region, with Iran’s foreign minister declaring that the U.S. had "crossed a red line," warning of unpredictable and potentially dangerous consequences.
Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon is already under fire amid reports of internal dysfunction, senior staff firings, and allegations of sharing sensitive information with unauthorized individuals. His recent directives on diversity messaging and suggestions to deploy Marines against domestic protesters have drawn further criticism from lawmakers and state leaders.
As the Pentagon continues its assessment and the administration maintains its hardline stance, speculation is growing about Hegseth’s future at the Defense Department. The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment on the latest developments.