Скачать или смотреть Pete Hegseth and Pentagon give first remarks on deadly strikes on Iran and Middle East

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) The United States and Israel's surprise military strikes on Iran over the weekend have killed hundreds and have increased the possibility of a multi-national war. But until Monday morning, the reasons for those strikes, and the eventual goal for the U.S. military, haven't been made clear.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pointed to newly set military objectives for "Operation Epic Fury" when asked by reporters what the nation's goals were surrounding the strikes. The Pentagon's four main objectives included:

Destroy Iranian offensive missiles
Destroy Iranian missile production
Destroy Iran's Navy and other security infrastructure
Prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon

But when pressed about specifics related to how the U.S. would measure these goals and determine when American forces would leave the conflict, Hegseth declined to answer, saying any indication about the intent of American forces would give Iran strategic information.

The last point has also contradicted previous statements made by the president. U.S. President Donald Trump had said an earlier strike on Iran had “obliterated” its nuclear capability, but Hegseth said on Monday that the possibility of the nation obtaining a nuclear weapon was still very real.

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