Asked whether regime change in Iran is off the table as a US policy goal, US Defence Secretary Hegseth replied: “This mission was not, is not about regime change”.

He described the attack as a “precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear programme”.

US General Dan Caine, when asked whether Iran still retains some nuclear capacity after the attack, said it would be premature to comment before the damage assessment is complete.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine (R) and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) address a media briefing on US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Washington, on June 22, 2025. — screengrab via Fox News YouTube
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine (R) and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) address a media briefing on US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Washington, on June 22, 2025. — screengrab via Fox News YouTube

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