‘Warriors’: Read Hegseth’s Full Statement To America Regarding Strike On Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a statement to the American public in which he called the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities an “overwhelming success,” noted that President Trump has not wavered from his long-stated intention to eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons program, stated bluntly that “American deterrence is back,” and paid tribute to all the members of the American military who participated in Operation Midnight Hammer,” praising them as “warriors.”

Hegseth’s statement below:

Thank you for joining us this morning. Last night, on President Trump’s orders, U.S. Central Command conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan, in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program. And as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs will demonstrate, it was an incredible and overwhelming success.

The order we received from our Commander-in-Chief was focused; it was powerful, and it was clear. We devastated the Iranian nuclear program, but it’s worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.

For the entirety of his time office, President Trump has consistently stated for over 10 years that Iran must not get a nuclear weapon.  Full stop. Thanks to President Trump‘s bold and visionary leadership and his commitment to peace through strength, Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated. Many presidents have dreamed of delivering the final blow to Iran‘s nuclear program and none could until President Trump.

The operation President Trump planned was bold, and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks the world should listen. And the U.S. military? We can back it up. The most powerful military the world has ever known. No other country on planet Earth could have conducted the operation that the chairman is going to outline this morning. Not even close. Just like Soleimani found out in the first term, Iran found out when POTUS says 60 days that he seeks peace and negotiation, he means 60 days of peace and negotiation, otherwise that nuclear capability will not exist. He meant it. This is not the previous administration; President Trump said no nukes. He seeks peace and Iran should take that path. He sent out a Truth last night saying this: “Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.” Signed, the president of the United States, Donald J Trump.

Iran would be smart to heed those words. He said it before, and he means it. I want go to give recognition to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Joint Staff, General Erik Kurilla at CENTCOM, who did a phenomenal job, he and his staff, all of CENTCOM policy. Across the board, this was a joint effort, an across-the-Pentagon effort.

I want to recognize pilots who flew those bombers; who flew those fighters; who flew those refuelers: Warriors. I want to recognize the sailors, on those destroyers, in those subs. on those carriers: Warriors. All of them. I want to recognize our soldiers doing air defense, base  defense, QRF: Warriors. All of them.

Every American involved in this operation performed flawlessly. And I want to give recognition to our allies in Israel as well.

This is a plan that took months and weeks of positioning and preparation so that we could be ready when the president of the United States called. It took a great deal of precision; it involved misdirection and the highest of operational security. Our B2s went in and out of these nuclear sites in and out and back without the world knowing at all. In that way it was historic. A strike that included the longest B2 Spirit Bomber mission since 2001 and the first operational employment of the MOP, a massive ordinance penetrator.

The mission demonstrated to the world the level of joint and Allied integration that speak to the strength of our alliance and our joint forces. As President Trump has stated, the United States does not seek war, but let me be clear: We will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened. Iran should listen to the United States and know that he means it: every word.

I want to give congratulations to our Commander-in Chief. It was an honor to watch him lead last night and throughout and to our great American warriors on this successful operation. God bless our troops. God bless America, and we give glory to God for his Providence and continue to ask for his protection.

I turn it over now to the Chairman for specifics.