U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the recent Operation Midnight Hammer, calling it “highly successful” and a precision military achievement. He said the mission, ordered by President Trump, skillfully hit Iranian nuclear facilities. Hegseth criticized certain U.S. media outlets for running what he called baseless stories that cast doubt on the operation’s success and presidential leadership.
During a joint briefing with Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth pointed to the operation’s aim: to halt regional war and secure a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. He stated that the strikes heavily damaged Iran’s nuclear program, setting it back by years—claims supported by assessments from some U.S. intelligence bodies and the IAEA.
Gen. Caine added his thanks to U.S. troops involved in Operation Midnight Hammer, especially pilots and missile defense crews. He noted they successfully intercepted a major Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, triggering the largest Patriot missile defense deployment to date—protecting the base with only two minutes’ warning.
Despite praise from Trump and Hegseth, internal reports have sparked controversy. A leaked preliminary DIA intelligence report suggested the strikes may only have delayed Iran’s nuclear progress by months—not completely destroyed it. Hegseth dismissed the report as “fake news,” arguing that U.S. service members know the true extent of their success.
Hegseth also noted confirmation from the IAEA and Iran’s own foreign ministry acknowledging that nuclear facilities were heavily damaged. He stressed that the mission’s goal—reducing the nuclear threat and enabling a ceasefire—was achieved.