Washington: The US Secretary of Defense clarified that the recent military strikes ordered by President Donald Trump were focused on dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, not on instigating regime change in the country. The announcement comes after coordinated attacks with Israel on several Iranian nuclear sites.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, stated during a press conference at the Pentagon that the operation “destroyed” key components of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He emphasized that the strikes did not target Iranian military forces or civilians and reiterated President Trump’s call for Iran to choose the path of peace to prevent further military actions.

Hegseth conveyed that President Trump authorized the operation to neutralize threats posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions to US national interests and the security of Israel. He stressed that the mission was specifically directed at the nuclear program, underscoring that regime change was not the objective.

The announcement followed a joint operation by the United States and Israel against Iran. President Trump described the attacks as “very successful,” highlighting strikes on nuclear facilities located in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.