US Says Operation Focused on Missiles and Security Assets
The United States Department of Defense has rejected claims that the ongoing strikes on Iran are aimed at regime change. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the mission is strictly military in scope. He described the campaign as focused and limited.
Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth stated that the operation does not seek to topple Iran’s leadership. “This is not a so-called regime change war,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the regional landscape has shifted dramatically.
The comments followed large-scale US and Israeli strikes launched on February 28. The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior security officials. The strikes marked one of the most significant escalations in recent Middle East history.
Hegseth said the campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, is “laser-focused.” He outlined clear objectives. These include destroying Iran’s offensive missile systems. The US also aims to dismantle missile production facilities. Naval assets and other security infrastructure are being targeted.
According to the Pentagon, the goal is to eliminate Iran’s ability to threaten regional stability. Officials argue that weakening Iran’s military capacity reduces long-term risks.
Pentagon: No Plan for Endless War
Hegseth stressed that the operation will not become an open-ended conflict. He said the United States does not intend to engage in an “endless” war. The strategy is designed to be decisive and limited in duration.
He warned that Iran had been developing powerful missiles and drones. These weapons, he said, were meant to act as a conventional shield for nuclear ambitions. The Pentagon claims Iran used missile expansion to strengthen its strategic leverage.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine joined Hegseth during the briefing. Military officials presented the operation as a preemptive security measure. They argued that the strikes are meant to neutralize immediate threats.
US officials insist that preventing nuclear weapons development remains a top priority. They say dismantling missile capabilities is key to achieving that objective.
Regional Impact and Global Reaction
The strikes have intensified tensions across the Middle East. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US interests and regional allies. Airspace closures and military alerts have followed.
Despite the sweeping scale of the operation, US officials maintain their position. They argue that military objectives do not equate to political overthrow. Analysts note that the killing of senior leadership figures has inevitably altered Iran’s internal power dynamics.
The Pentagon continues to frame the mission as defensive. Officials say it aims to reduce future threats rather than reshape Iran’s political system. However, critics question whether such large-scale strikes can avoid broader consequences.
The Biden administration has not indicated plans for ground deployment. Instead, air and naval power remain central to the strategy. The coming weeks may determine whether the conflict stabilizes or escalates further.
For now, US leaders emphasize precision and limited engagement. They say the mission is about security, not regime change.
