Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, US Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the United States is not pursuing regime change in Iran and is not at war with the country, despite recent military actions targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
These comments were made on Sunday as the US joined Israel in a series of strikes against Iran, marking the 10th day of retaliatory actions from Tehran in response to the initial attacks.
President Donald Trump, however, seemed to contradict the official stance, raising the prospect of regime change in his remarks.
“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” he posted on his social media platform.
Vance, speaking on NBC News show Meet the Press, stated that the US had successfully hindered Iran’s nuclear program and suggested that Trump now aims for a diplomatic resolution.
He emphasized that the US is engaged in a conflict aimed at Iran’s nuclear ambitions rather than a broader war against the nation.
“We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it’s already been built out. We want to end their nuclear programme,” Vance explained.
He also highlighted the desire to engage in talks with Iran for a long-term settlement.
In a separate briefing, Hegseth claimed that the US operations had “devastated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities while reiterating that Washington is not seeking regime change.
The impact of the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities remains unverified, as Iranian authorities maintain that their nuclear efforts are solely for civilian purposes.
During a press conference, Hegseth urged Iranian leaders to seek a way to de-escalate the ongoing conflict following the announcement of attacks on key nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, and additional facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.
“This mission was not, and has not, been about regime change,” he stated.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the strikes by asserting that the US had crossed a “very big red line” and hinted at potential retaliatory actions.
Speaking at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Araghchi indicated the attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities effectively ended any possible diplomatic avenues.
President Trump’s intervention, despite his previous commitments to avoid engaging in another “forever war,” raises concerns about further escalation after Israel intensified its bombing campaign against Iran.
The US and Iran were involved in nuclear negotiations facilitated by Oman but these discussions were disrupted by Israel’s military actions, which received unconditional support from the US.
During the press conference, General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the assessment of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities would take time to complete.
He confirmed that B-2 bombers were dispatched from the US for an 18-hour flight to execute the strikes as part of “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Caine explained that the operation involved various tactics, including “deception and decoy” maneuvers designed to protect the bombers, noting there was no indication that Iranian defenses engaged during the operation.
Iranian air defenses appeared ineffective, as Caine mentioned that Iranian fighter jets did not take off and there was no evidence that their missile systems detected the US forces.
He refrained from discussing specific measures taken to shield US troops stationed in the Middle East from possible Iranian counterattacks.
“Our joint force remains ready to defend the United States – our troops and our interests in the region,” Caine affirmed.
Alan Fisher from Al Jazeera reported that Hegseth conveyed a clear message indicating that the US operation is not open-ended but limited in scope.
He noted that while the operation was meant to send a strong message, full intelligence assessments of the impact on Iranian nuclear facilities are still pending and will require time to analyze comprehensively.
Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed CBS that there were no planned military operations against Iran at this moment.
President Trump stated that the US forces had successfully targeted three Iranian nuclear sites, calling it a “very successful attack.”
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” the President announced on Truth Social.
Trump’s decision to join Israel’s campaign against Iran has further intensified a volatile situation, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, confirmed via Iranian state television that there were no fatalities resulting from the US strikes on the nuclear facilities.
Reports from Iranian officials indicated that the individuals sent to hospitals following the strikes exhibited no signs of radiation contamination.
In Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in protests against the US strikes, where demonstrators shouted “Revenge, revenge!” raising their fists in defiance.
Since the onset of the conflict, President Trump has ramped up his rhetoric against Iran, asserting that the nation should never acquire nuclear weapons.
Experts suggest that Trump’s shift towards military action may have been influenced by advisements from Israeli officials who have long sought a more aggressive stance towards Tehran.
Scott Lucas, a professor of US and international politics at University College Dublin, implied that Trump’s decision to strike Iran could be attributed to apparent manipulation by Israeli leaders.
The dynamic between the US and Iran continues to evolve amid this crisis, with all parties assessing the potential consequences of military engagement and diplomatic efforts moving forward.
image source from：aljazeera
