Trump administration denies wanting war with Iran or regime change after nuclear site bombing raid
Donald Trump’s administration “does not seek war” and is not trying to create regime change, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed after the president authorised a stunning attack on Iran.
With the world reeling over the stealth bomber raids on three nuclear sites – dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer – President Trump claimed he had “completely obliterated” Iran’s chances of obtaining nuclear weapons.
But despite Mr Hegseth’s comments on Sunday, the attacks have prompted the UK and others to organise repatriation flights for citizens from Israel, Iran and surrounding countries amid fears of all-out war.
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UK bases in Cyprus are on high alert with the theocratic regime in Tehran vowing revenge on America and her allies.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced he will fly to Moscow for meetings with Vladimir Putin on Monday. Meanwhile, Iran let off another barrage of missiles at Israel while US allies took stock of the latest round of international turmoil.
Mr Trump’s methods, which appear to have been kept secret from all but a close inner circle, were condemned by UN secretary seneral Antonio Guterres.
In a statement, he said: “I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
The attack came despite Mr Trump apparently assuring fellow G7 leaders in Canada last week that he was seeking de-escalation.
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer held an emergency Cobra meeting with senior members of the government in London but backed the president’s sudden move. A similar security meeting took place in France chaired by president Emmanuel Macron.
The two also joined German chancellor Friedrich Merz in an E3 joint call between the UK, France and Germany. UK foreign secretary David Lammy called other allies.
But Mr Hegseth admitted that knowledge of the attack had been kept to a very small group within the administration and leaders of allies were only told about it when the bombers were on their way home.
On a day of drama, the US defence secretary appeared with General Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff, at a press conference in the Pentagon.
Seeking to appease anger among isolationists in Mr Trump’s right-wing Maga base, he praised the president’s “brilliant leadership”.
