Hegseth: US Strikes Target Iran’s Nukes, Navy; No Limits Set

On the third day of joint U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran, tensions in the Middle East intensify. Iran launches retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases, triggering explosions in Dubai, Bahrain, Iraq, and other locations. Gulf states warn of further responses as a Saudi oil refinery burns, Qatar suspends LNG production, and tankers face assaults off Oman. Hezbollah from Lebanon joins the conflict, while a British air base in Cyprus comes under fire. U.S. officials anticipate casualties amid ongoing Iranian assaults. Regional hub airports cancel flights, stranding thousands of travelers.

Defense Secretary Outlines Iran Campaign

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refuses to exclude ground troop deployment in Iran during a morning briefing. He signals the operation, launched Saturday alongside Israeli actions, may extend up to six weeks. U.S. forces hit hundreds of Iranian targets, including missile sites, naval assets, and command centers.

Asked about boots on the ground, Hegseth states at a news conference: “No, but we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do.”

“We’ll go as far as we need to go,” he adds.

Hegseth distinguishes this from prolonged U.S. engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasizing no nation-building intent. “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” he declares. “Our generation knows better and so does this president. He called the last 20 years of nation building wars ‘dumb’ and he’s right.”

Canada Urges Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Anita Anand avoids commenting on the legality of Saturday’s strikes during remarks in New Delhi. Canada played no role in the operation and prioritizes dialogue. “We prefer a diplomatic solution,” Anand explains. “This is why I have spent the last two days speaking with my counterparts across the Middle East and in the Gulf states, from Jordan, to Qatar, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to U.A.E and all of my G7 counterparts, stressing that Canada believes in a diplomatic and peaceful solution, and as soon as possible, we would like parties to get to the table.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney endorses the U.S. actions in a statement. “Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security, and the Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict,” Carney says ahead of a speech in Mumbai.

Kuwait Friendly Fire Downs U.S. Jets

Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles crash after Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly target them amid combat. U.S. Central Command attributes the incident to confusion during Iranian aircraft, missile, and drone attacks. All six crew members eject safely and recover without injury.

Kuwait confirms the event, with investigations underway. Such mishaps occur in high-intensity air battles, marking the first multi-jet U.S. loss to fire since early 2003 Iraq operations.