WEBVTT 00:06.369 --> 00:10.319 Yeah . Well , thank 00:10.319 --> 00:13.210 you for joining us this morning . Last 00:13.210 --> 00:15.377 night on President Trump's orders , US 00:15.377 --> 00:17.969 Central Command conducted a precision 00:17.969 --> 00:20.280 strike in the middle of the night 00:20.770 --> 00:23.280 against 3 nuclear facilities in Iran , 00:23.530 --> 00:26.649 Fordow , Natanz , and Esfahan in order 00:26.649 --> 00:30.200 to destroy . Or severely degrade Iran's 00:30.200 --> 00:32.367 nuclear program and as the Chairman of 00:32.367 --> 00:34.939 the Joint Chiefs will demonstrate , it 00:34.939 --> 00:38.669 was an incredible and overwhelming 00:38.669 --> 00:41.150 success . The order we received from 00:41.150 --> 00:44.360 our commander in chief was focused . It 00:44.360 --> 00:48.209 was powerful and it was clear . We 00:48.209 --> 00:51.409 devastated the Iranian nuclear program . 00:52.630 --> 00:54.852 But it's worth noting the operation did 00:54.852 --> 00:56.686 not target Iranian troops or the 00:56.686 --> 00:59.779 Iranian people . For the entirety of 00:59.779 --> 01:01.835 his time in office , President Trump 01:01.835 --> 01:03.835 has consistently stated for over 10 01:03.835 --> 01:07.469 years . That Iran must not get a 01:07.469 --> 01:11.260 nuclear weapon , full stop . Thanks to 01:11.260 --> 01:13.316 President Trump's bold and visionary 01:13.316 --> 01:15.482 leadership and his commitment to peace 01:15.482 --> 01:17.620 through strength , Iran's nuclear 01:17.620 --> 01:20.260 ambitions have been obliterated . 01:21.580 --> 01:24.120 Many presidents have dreamed of 01:24.120 --> 01:26.480 delivering the final blow to Iran's 01:26.480 --> 01:29.269 nuclear program . And none could 01:30.830 --> 01:34.550 Until President Trump . The operation 01:34.550 --> 01:37.669 President Trump planned was bold , and 01:37.669 --> 01:40.379 it was brilliant . Showing the world 01:40.550 --> 01:44.139 that American deterrence is back 01:44.389 --> 01:47.819 when this president speaks , the world 01:48.150 --> 01:51.889 should listen and the US military . We 01:51.889 --> 01:55.000 can back it up . The most powerful 01:55.000 --> 01:57.839 military the world has ever known . No 01:57.839 --> 02:00.040 other country on planet Earth could 02:00.040 --> 02:02.151 have conducted the operation that the 02:02.151 --> 02:04.429 chairman is gonna outline this morning , 02:04.440 --> 02:08.179 not even close . Um , just 02:08.179 --> 02:10.339 like Soleimani found out in the first 02:10.339 --> 02:13.570 term , Iran found out when POTUS says 02:13.570 --> 02:16.220 60 days that he seeks peace and 02:16.220 --> 02:20.089 negotiation , he means 60 days of peace 02:20.089 --> 02:23.240 and negotiation , otherwise . That 02:23.240 --> 02:25.229 nuclear program , that nuclear 02:25.229 --> 02:27.960 capability will not exist . He meant it . 02:28.800 --> 02:32.119 This is not the previous administration . 02:33.110 --> 02:36.050 The President Trump said no nukes . 02:37.389 --> 02:41.029 He seeks peace And Iran should take 02:41.029 --> 02:45.009 that path . Uh , he sent out a truth 02:45.009 --> 02:48.490 last night saying this . Any 02:48.490 --> 02:51.490 retaliation by Iran against the United 02:51.490 --> 02:54.130 States of America will be met with 02:54.130 --> 02:56.679 force far greater than what was 02:56.679 --> 02:59.729 witnessed tonight . Signed the 02:59.729 --> 03:02.062 President of the United States Donald J . 03:02.119 --> 03:05.529 Trump . Iran would be smart to heed 03:05.529 --> 03:08.770 those words . He's said it before and 03:08.770 --> 03:11.479 he means it . I wanna give recognition 03:11.809 --> 03:13.976 to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 03:13.976 --> 03:16.142 Staff , uh , the joint staff , General 03:16.142 --> 03:19.039 Eric Corilla at CENTCOM , who did a 03:19.039 --> 03:21.529 phenomenal job , he and his staff , all 03:21.529 --> 03:24.839 of CENTCOM policy across the board . 03:24.850 --> 03:27.649 This was a joint effort and across the 03:27.649 --> 03:30.750 Pentagon effort . I want to recognize 03:30.750 --> 03:34.259 the pilots . Who flew those bombers . 03:34.970 --> 03:37.639 Who flew those fighters , who flew 03:37.639 --> 03:41.130 those refuelers . Warriors . I want to 03:41.130 --> 03:43.210 recognize the sailors on those 03:43.210 --> 03:45.289 destroyers in those subs on those 03:45.289 --> 03:48.750 carriers , warriors , all of them . I 03:48.750 --> 03:51.300 wanna recognize our soldiers doing air 03:51.300 --> 03:54.570 defense , base defense QRF warriors , 03:54.820 --> 03:57.460 all of them every American involved in 03:57.460 --> 04:00.449 this operation performed flawlessly . 04:01.750 --> 04:04.020 And I wanna give recognition to our 04:04.020 --> 04:07.639 allies in Israel as well . This is a 04:07.639 --> 04:10.000 plan that took months and weeks of 04:10.000 --> 04:12.520 positioning and preparation so that we 04:12.520 --> 04:15.199 could be ready when the President of 04:15.199 --> 04:17.880 the United States called . It took a 04:17.880 --> 04:20.750 great deal of precision . It involved 04:20.880 --> 04:24.170 misdirection . And the highest 04:24.170 --> 04:28.070 of operational security . Our B-2s 04:28.070 --> 04:31.269 went in and out of downtown Tehran , 04:31.359 --> 04:33.248 not Tehran , excuse me , of these 04:33.248 --> 04:35.137 nuclear sites in and out and back 04:35.137 --> 04:38.299 without the world knowing at all . In 04:38.299 --> 04:40.769 that way , it was historic . A strike 04:40.769 --> 04:42.825 that included the longest B-2 spirit 04:42.825 --> 04:45.399 bomber mission since 2001 and the first 04:45.399 --> 04:48.140 operational employment of the MOP . A 04:48.140 --> 04:50.679 massive ordinance penetrator . The 04:50.679 --> 04:52.901 mission demonstrated to the world , the 04:52.901 --> 04:55.269 level of joint and allied integration 04:55.640 --> 04:57.529 that speak to the strength of our 04:57.529 --> 04:59.959 alliance and our joint forces . As 04:59.959 --> 05:02.181 President Trump has stated , the United 05:02.181 --> 05:04.440 States does not seek war , but let me 05:04.440 --> 05:07.799 be clear . We will act swiftly and 05:07.799 --> 05:10.440 decisively when our people , our 05:10.440 --> 05:13.200 partners , or our interests are 05:13.200 --> 05:15.769 threatened . Iran should listen to the 05:15.769 --> 05:17.991 president of the United States and know 05:17.991 --> 05:20.158 that he means it , every word . I want 05:20.158 --> 05:21.880 to give congratulations to our 05:21.880 --> 05:24.102 commander in chief . It was an honor to 05:24.102 --> 05:25.769 watch him lead last night and 05:25.769 --> 05:27.825 throughout and to our great American 05:27.825 --> 05:30.047 warriors on this successful operation . 05:30.609 --> 05:33.290 God bless our troops . God bless 05:33.290 --> 05:35.970 America , and we give glory to God for 05:35.970 --> 05:39.489 His providence and continue to ask for 05:39.489 --> 05:42.339 his protection . I turned it over now 05:42.339 --> 05:44.779 to the chairman for specifics . Thank 05:44.779 --> 05:47.057 you , Mr . Secretary . Thanks for , uh , 05:47.057 --> 05:49.112 recognizing , uh , all of our , uh , 05:49.112 --> 05:51.112 our , our folks out there doing our 05:51.112 --> 05:53.168 nation's work and , uh , nice to see 05:53.168 --> 05:55.446 everybody on this early Sunday morning . 05:55.446 --> 05:57.612 Last night on the president's orders , 05:57.612 --> 05:59.835 US Central Command under the command of 05:59.835 --> 06:02.057 General Eric Corella executed Operation 06:02.057 --> 06:04.001 Midnight Hammer , a deliberate and 06:04.001 --> 06:06.649 precise strike against three Iranian 06:06.649 --> 06:09.730 nuclear facilities . This was a complex 06:09.730 --> 06:11.899 and high risk mission carried out with 06:11.899 --> 06:14.420 exceptional skill and discipline by our 06:14.420 --> 06:16.579 joint force . I wanna thank every 06:16.579 --> 06:18.959 service member , planner , operator 06:18.959 --> 06:21.540 that made this mission possible . Their 06:21.540 --> 06:23.651 actions reflect the highest standards 06:23.820 --> 06:26.140 of the United States Armed Forces . 06:26.260 --> 06:28.649 This operation was designed to severely 06:28.649 --> 06:30.899 degrade , uh , Iran's nuclear weapons 06:30.899 --> 06:33.200 infrastructure . It was planned . And 06:33.200 --> 06:35.920 executed across multiple domains and 06:35.920 --> 06:38.320 theaters with coordination that 06:38.320 --> 06:40.600 reflects our ability to project power 06:40.600 --> 06:43.559 globally with speed and precision at 06:43.559 --> 06:45.640 the time and place of our nation's 06:45.640 --> 06:48.119 choosing . This was a highly classified 06:48.119 --> 06:50.000 mission with very few people in 06:50.000 --> 06:52.750 Washington knowing the timing or nature 06:52.750 --> 06:55.040 of this plan . Uh , I'll refer you to 06:55.040 --> 06:57.480 the graphic on the side as I walk you 06:57.480 --> 06:59.813 through some of the operational details . 07:00.769 --> 07:02.690 At midnight Friday into Saturday 07:02.690 --> 07:05.290 morning , a large B-2 strike package 07:05.290 --> 07:07.457 comprised of bombers launched from the 07:07.457 --> 07:09.970 continental United States as part of a 07:09.970 --> 07:12.239 plan to maintain tactical surprise , 07:12.489 --> 07:14.545 part of the package proceeded to the 07:14.545 --> 07:17.260 west and into the Pacific as a decoy , 07:17.529 --> 07:20.170 a deception effort , uh , known only to 07:20.170 --> 07:23.269 an extremely small number of planners 07:23.269 --> 07:25.730 and key leaders here in Washington and 07:25.730 --> 07:28.230 in Tampa . The main strike package 07:28.230 --> 07:30.769 comprised of 7 B-2 Spirit bombers , 07:30.929 --> 07:33.649 each with 2 crew members , proceeded 07:33.649 --> 07:36.209 quietly to the east with minimal 07:36.209 --> 07:39.790 communications . Throughout the 18 hour 07:39.790 --> 07:41.679 flight into the target area , the 07:41.679 --> 07:43.989 aircraft completed multiple in-flight 07:43.989 --> 07:47.600 refuelings . Once over land , the 07:47.600 --> 07:50.420 B-2s linked up with and support 07:50.420 --> 07:53.390 aircraft in a complex , tightly timed 07:53.390 --> 07:55.700 maneuver requiring exact 07:55.700 --> 07:57.910 synchronization across multiple 07:57.910 --> 08:00.619 platforms in a narrow piece of airspace , 08:01.029 --> 08:03.950 all done with minimal communications . 08:04.720 --> 08:07.559 This type of integration is exactly 08:07.559 --> 08:10.559 what our joint force does better than 08:10.559 --> 08:12.769 anyone else in the world . At 08:12.769 --> 08:15.489 approximately 50 p.m. Eastern Standard 08:15.489 --> 08:18.040 Time last night and just prior to the 08:18.040 --> 08:20.980 strike package entering Iran , a US 08:20.980 --> 08:23.091 submarine in the Central Command area 08:23.091 --> 08:25.679 of responsibility launched more than 2 08:25.679 --> 08:27.799 dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise 08:27.799 --> 08:30.320 missiles against key surface 08:30.320 --> 08:33.450 infrastructure targets at Esfahan . As 08:33.450 --> 08:35.609 the Operation Midnight Hammer strike 08:35.609 --> 08:38.570 package entered Iranian airspace , the 08:38.570 --> 08:41.489 US employed several deception tactics , 08:41.890 --> 08:45.520 including decoys , as the 4th and 5th 08:45.520 --> 08:48.599 generation aircraft pushed out in front 08:48.599 --> 08:51.000 of the strike package at high altitude 08:51.000 --> 08:53.330 and high speed , sweeping in front of 08:53.330 --> 08:56.210 the package for enemy fighters and 08:56.210 --> 08:58.650 surface to air missile threats . The 08:58.650 --> 09:01.090 strike package was supported by US 09:01.090 --> 09:04.030 Strategic Command . US Transportation 09:04.030 --> 09:08.030 Command , US Cyber Command , US Space 09:08.030 --> 09:11.510 Command , US Space Force , and US 09:11.510 --> 09:14.630 European Command . As the strike 09:14.630 --> 09:17.809 package approached for Doe and Natanz , 09:18.099 --> 09:21.179 the US protection package employed 09:21.179 --> 09:23.859 high-speed suppression weapons to 09:23.859 --> 09:25.748 ensure safe passage of the strike 09:25.748 --> 09:28.659 package with fighter assets employing 09:28.659 --> 09:30.849 preemptive suppressing fires against 09:30.849 --> 09:34.059 any potential Iranian surface to air 09:34.059 --> 09:37.299 threats . We are currently unaware of 09:37.299 --> 09:40.020 any shots fired at the US strike 09:40.020 --> 09:42.659 package on the way in . At 09:42.659 --> 09:45.340 approximately 6:40 p.m. Eastern 09:45.340 --> 09:48.859 Standard Time , 2:10 a.m. 09:48.859 --> 09:52.619 Iran time , the lead B-2 dropped 2 09:52.619 --> 09:56.219 GBU-57 massive ordinance penetrator 09:56.219 --> 09:58.820 weapons on the first of several aim 09:58.820 --> 10:01.700 points at Fordaux , as the president 10:01.700 --> 10:03.589 stated last night , the remaining 10:03.589 --> 10:05.867 bombers then hit their targets as well , 10:05.979 --> 10:09.570 with a total of 14 mops dropped against 10:09.859 --> 10:13.619 two nuclear target areas . All three 10:13.619 --> 10:16.059 Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets 10:16.059 --> 10:19.179 were struck between 6:40 p.m. and 10:19.179 --> 10:22.419 7:05 p.m. Eastern time . Again , that's 10:22.419 --> 10:25.219 about 2:10 in the morning local time in 10:25.219 --> 10:27.979 Iran with the Tomahawk missiles being 10:27.979 --> 10:31.580 the last to strike at Esfahan to ensure 10:31.580 --> 10:33.869 we retain the element of surprise 10:34.140 --> 10:37.039 throughout the operation . Following 10:37.039 --> 10:39.150 weapons release , the midnight hammer 10:39.150 --> 10:42.309 strike package exited Iranian airspace , 10:42.549 --> 10:45.109 and the package began its return home . 10:45.679 --> 10:49.440 We are unaware of any shots fired at 10:49.440 --> 10:53.400 the package on the way out . Iran's 10:53.400 --> 10:57.000 fighters did not fly , and it appears 10:57.000 --> 10:59.320 that Iran's surface to air missile 10:59.320 --> 11:03.159 systems did not see us throughout the 11:03.159 --> 11:06.080 mission we retained the element of 11:06.080 --> 11:09.049 surprise . In total , US forces 11:09.049 --> 11:11.770 employed approximately 75 precision 11:11.770 --> 11:13.937 guided weapons during this operation . 11:13.937 --> 11:16.409 This included , as the president stated 11:16.409 --> 11:20.340 last night , 14 30,000 pound GBU-57 11:20.729 --> 11:22.929 massive ordinance penetrators marking 11:22.929 --> 11:26.169 the first ever operational use of this 11:26.169 --> 11:29.059 weapon . I know that battle damage is 11:29.059 --> 11:31.640 of great interest . Final battle damage 11:31.640 --> 11:33.529 will take some time , but initial 11:33.529 --> 11:35.751 battle damage assessments indicate that 11:35.751 --> 11:38.070 all three sites sustained extremely 11:38.070 --> 11:41.929 severe damage and destruction . More 11:41.929 --> 11:45.830 than 125 US aircraft participated 11:45.830 --> 11:48.729 in this mission , including B-2 stealth 11:48.729 --> 11:52.289 bombers , multiple flights of 4th and 11:52.289 --> 11:55.130 5th generation fighters , dozens and 11:55.130 --> 11:57.729 dozens of air refueling tankers , a 11:57.729 --> 12:00.489 guided missile submarine , and a full 12:00.489 --> 12:03.320 array of intelligence , surveillance , 12:03.489 --> 12:05.849 and reconnaissance aircraft , as well 12:05.849 --> 12:07.729 as hundreds of maintenance and 12:07.729 --> 12:10.679 operational professionals . As the 12:10.679 --> 12:12.830 secretary said , this was the largest 12:13.210 --> 12:16.950 B2 operational strike in US history 12:17.200 --> 12:20.880 and the second longest B-2 mission ever 12:20.880 --> 12:23.559 flown , exceeded only by those in the 12:23.559 --> 12:27.500 days following 9/11 . Well , prior 12:27.500 --> 12:29.278 to the strike , General Corella 12:29.278 --> 12:31.460 elevated force protection measures 12:31.460 --> 12:33.738 across the region , especially in Iraq , 12:34.140 --> 12:37.380 Syria , and the Gulf . Our forces 12:37.380 --> 12:39.820 remain on high alert and are fully 12:39.820 --> 12:42.500 postured to respond to any Iranian 12:42.500 --> 12:45.700 retaliation or proxy attacks , which 12:45.700 --> 12:49.090 would be an incredibly poor choice . 12:49.500 --> 12:53.059 We will defend ourselves . The safety 12:53.059 --> 12:56.080 of our service members and civilians 12:56.080 --> 12:59.330 remains our highest priority . This 12:59.330 --> 13:01.479 mission demonstrates the unmatched 13:01.479 --> 13:04.070 reach , coordination , and capability 13:04.070 --> 13:06.599 of the United States military in just a 13:06.599 --> 13:08.630 matter of weeks this went from 13:08.630 --> 13:11.719 strategic planning to global execution . 13:12.099 --> 13:14.640 This operation underscores the 13:14.640 --> 13:17.520 unmatched capabilities and global reach 13:17.520 --> 13:20.250 of the United States military as the 13:20.250 --> 13:23.320 president clearly said last night , no 13:23.320 --> 13:25.159 other in the military , no other 13:25.159 --> 13:27.320 military in the world could have done 13:27.320 --> 13:30.020 this . I joined the president and the 13:30.020 --> 13:32.187 secretary in being incredibly proud of 13:32.187 --> 13:35.460 the air crews , naval forces , cyber 13:35.460 --> 13:37.760 operators , planners and support teams 13:37.760 --> 13:39.816 and commanders who made this mission 13:39.816 --> 13:42.090 possible . It is their skill , 13:42.380 --> 13:45.099 discipline and team teamwork that makes 13:45.099 --> 13:47.940 this operation possible . I am 13:47.940 --> 13:50.809 particularly proud of our discipline 13:50.809 --> 13:52.698 related to operational security , 13:53.059 --> 13:55.226 something that was of great concern to 13:55.226 --> 13:57.849 the president . The Secretary General 13:57.849 --> 14:00.520 Corella and me , and we will continue 14:00.729 --> 14:03.849 to focus on this as we stand here this 14:03.849 --> 14:05.929 morning . Many assets are still 14:05.929 --> 14:08.599 airborne and we have hundreds deployed . 14:08.809 --> 14:10.976 I ask that we keep our war fighters on 14:10.976 --> 14:13.450 their way home , uh , and our deployed 14:13.450 --> 14:16.169 service member in our thoughts . Our 14:16.169 --> 14:18.409 joint force remains ready to defend the 14:18.409 --> 14:20.849 United States , our troops , and our 14:20.849 --> 14:22.849 interests in the region . Thank you 14:22.849 --> 14:25.789 very much . Uh , we will take a few 14:25.789 --> 14:29.549 questions , Phil , yeah , um , so is 14:29.549 --> 14:31.493 regime change off the table , Mr . 14:31.493 --> 14:33.660 Secretary , and to the chairman , um , 14:33.660 --> 14:35.660 you know , you , you , you said the 14:35.660 --> 14:37.549 battle damage assessment is still 14:37.549 --> 14:39.716 ongoing , but do you believe that some 14:39.716 --> 14:42.549 nuclear capability in Iran remains ? Um , 14:43.450 --> 14:45.650 this mission was not and has not been 14:45.650 --> 14:48.530 about regime change . The president 14:48.530 --> 14:51.890 authorized a precision operation . To 14:51.890 --> 14:54.130 neutralize the threats to our national 14:54.130 --> 14:56.840 interests posed by the Iranian nuclear 14:56.840 --> 14:58.929 program . And the collective self 14:58.929 --> 15:01.789 defense of our troops and our ally 15:01.789 --> 15:05.609 Israel . Uh , thanks for your question . 15:05.739 --> 15:07.940 I think BDA is , is still pending and 15:07.940 --> 15:09.940 it would be way too early for me to 15:09.940 --> 15:12.162 comment on what may or may not still be 15:12.162 --> 15:14.273 there , but thanks for the question , 15:14.273 --> 15:16.609 uh , green . Green , no behind you . 15:17.859 --> 15:19.915 Excuse me , Mr . Secretary , can you 15:19.915 --> 15:22.137 tell me , was there a particular moment 15:22.137 --> 15:24.303 when the president decided to pull the 15:24.303 --> 15:26.526 trigger on this operation where he said 15:26.526 --> 15:28.470 now rather than being , you know , 15:28.470 --> 15:30.526 something in the holster , now we're 15:30.526 --> 15:30.409 gonna pull the trigger on . Uh , I 15:30.409 --> 15:32.520 would just say having the opportunity 15:32.520 --> 15:34.929 to witness , um , his leadership , he 15:34.929 --> 15:36.762 was fully committed to the peace 15:36.762 --> 15:39.090 process , wanted , wanted , uh , a 15:39.090 --> 15:41.570 negotiated outcome , gave Iran every 15:41.570 --> 15:43.849 single opportunity , and unfortunately 15:43.849 --> 15:46.016 was met by stonewalling , which is why 15:46.016 --> 15:47.849 he . Gave them plenty of time to 15:47.849 --> 15:50.016 continue to come to the table and give 15:50.016 --> 15:52.016 up enrichment , give up the nuclear 15:52.016 --> 15:53.960 program , uh , but there was a , I 15:53.960 --> 15:56.071 won't say the particular moment there 15:56.071 --> 15:55.739 was certainly a moment in time where he 15:55.739 --> 15:58.460 realized uh that it had to be a certain 15:58.460 --> 16:00.571 action taken in order to minimize the 16:00.571 --> 16:04.159 threat to us and our troops . Yeah . 16:04.729 --> 16:07.010 General , you say that General Corea 16:07.010 --> 16:09.130 increased force protection in Iraq , 16:09.210 --> 16:11.909 Syria , and Gulf in those areas . We 16:11.909 --> 16:14.131 were they given any advance warning the 16:14.131 --> 16:16.242 attacks were coming ? And also , uh , 16:16.242 --> 16:17.770 Mr . Secretary , when were 16:17.770 --> 16:20.179 congressional leaders notified how long 16:20.179 --> 16:23.320 before the attacks took place ? Sir , 16:23.400 --> 16:25.622 to your , uh , to your first question , 16:25.622 --> 16:27.733 you know , the , the risk has clearly 16:27.733 --> 16:29.844 been rising over the last few weeks , 16:29.844 --> 16:32.067 uh , in the region , uh , based on that 16:32.067 --> 16:34.233 and not a particular awareness of this 16:34.233 --> 16:36.320 operation , uh , we've made smart 16:36.320 --> 16:38.679 decisions to minimize the risk to US 16:38.679 --> 16:40.840 forces in the region . No advance 16:40.840 --> 16:44.210 warning , no sir . In congressional , 16:44.390 --> 16:46.619 uh , they were , they were notified 16:46.619 --> 16:49.270 after the planes were safely out . Well 16:49.270 --> 16:50.826 we complied with , uh , the 16:50.826 --> 16:52.881 notification requirements of the War 16:52.881 --> 16:55.048 Powers Act . They were notified . They 16:55.048 --> 16:58.049 were immediately thereafter . Yes , 16:58.090 --> 16:59.090 thank you . 17:02.080 --> 17:04.469 We believe you completely destroyed 17:04.469 --> 17:07.479 Iranian nuclear programs , and how 17:07.479 --> 17:10.489 about Iranian ballistic missiles ? Your 17:10.489 --> 17:14.199 ally Israel always saying that is the 17:14.770 --> 17:17.329 biggest threat . And second question is 17:17.329 --> 17:20.650 very important what will be your 17:20.650 --> 17:23.729 next step ? If Iran or 17:23.729 --> 17:26.928 militias under Iranian influence in the 17:26.928 --> 17:30.208 region attack US interests or 17:30.208 --> 17:33.569 allies in the region . Um , and you can 17:33.569 --> 17:35.736 chime in on this too , Mr . Chairman . 17:35.736 --> 17:37.791 Um , the battle damage assessment is 17:37.791 --> 17:39.958 ongoing , but our initial assessment , 17:39.958 --> 17:42.069 as the chairman said , is that all of 17:42.069 --> 17:44.291 our precision munitions struck where we 17:44.291 --> 17:46.180 wanted them to strike and had the 17:46.180 --> 17:48.069 desired effect , uh , which means 17:48.069 --> 17:50.125 especially in Fordow , which was the 17:50.125 --> 17:52.125 primary target here , we believe we 17:52.125 --> 17:54.180 achieved destruction of capabilities 17:54.180 --> 17:56.479 there . Um , ultimately wherever it may 17:56.479 --> 17:59.250 be , whether it's in Iraq or Syria or 17:59.250 --> 18:01.239 bases in the Gulf , um , as the 18:01.239 --> 18:03.406 president said it would be , or excuse 18:03.406 --> 18:05.628 me , as the chairman said it would be a 18:05.628 --> 18:07.739 very bad idea for Iran or its proxies 18:07.739 --> 18:09.906 to attempt to attack American forces . 18:11.250 --> 18:14.040 Yes . Thank you , Mr . Secretary . Uh 18:14.040 --> 18:17.199 regarding retaliation , uh , Iran and 18:17.199 --> 18:20.439 North Korea are cooperating on nuclear 18:20.439 --> 18:24.079 and missile development . Do you think 18:24.079 --> 18:26.910 there is a possibility that Iran , 18:27.170 --> 18:30.560 North Korea , and the other forces such 18:30.560 --> 18:34.530 as China will join forces to 18:34.530 --> 18:38.359 retaliate against the United States . 18:39.349 --> 18:41.349 Well , unfortunately because of the 18:41.349 --> 18:42.905 policies under the previous 18:42.905 --> 18:45.127 administration we drove those countries 18:45.127 --> 18:48.540 together um and ultimately uh that 18:48.760 --> 18:50.871 creates a challenging environment for 18:50.871 --> 18:53.038 this particular operation the focus is 18:53.038 --> 18:54.593 on Iran and Iranian nuclear 18:54.593 --> 18:56.704 capabilities that's our focus here is 18:56.704 --> 18:58.871 to not just say that they can't have , 18:58.871 --> 19:01.038 but President Trump has said from over 19:01.038 --> 19:03.400 20 years , frankly Iran cannot have a 19:03.400 --> 19:05.479 nuclear weapon and ultimately he 19:05.479 --> 19:07.646 decided this is the moment given their 19:07.646 --> 19:09.709 stonewalling . When direct military 19:09.709 --> 19:12.010 action had to be taken to prevent that 19:12.010 --> 19:14.719 from happening . Yes , thank you very 19:14.719 --> 19:17.099 much , uh , General Keane . I 19:17.099 --> 19:19.321 understand OPSEC . I respect OSAC . Can 19:19.321 --> 19:22.489 you say at all what security procedures 19:22.489 --> 19:25.130 are being taken to protect US troops in 19:25.130 --> 19:27.352 Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East ? 19:27.352 --> 19:29.569 And Secretary Heeth , as a global war 19:29.569 --> 19:32.010 on terrorism veteran , what do you say 19:32.010 --> 19:34.232 to veterans who may be concerned the US 19:34.232 --> 19:36.399 is getting into another open-ended war 19:36.399 --> 19:38.621 in the Middle East over weapons of mass 19:38.621 --> 19:40.732 destruction ? Uh , thanks , sir , for 19:40.732 --> 19:42.954 the question . Um , I , I won't comment 19:42.954 --> 19:45.177 on what force protection measures are , 19:45.177 --> 19:47.232 are being taken in the region . Uh , 19:47.250 --> 19:49.361 what I will say is we're being , uh , 19:49.361 --> 19:52.849 proactive and not reactive , um , and 19:52.849 --> 19:54.905 being very thoughtful about ensuring 19:54.905 --> 19:57.016 that we do all that we can to protect 19:57.016 --> 19:59.270 our forces out there . And I would just 19:59.270 --> 20:01.109 say , uh , as the president has 20:01.109 --> 20:03.165 directed and made clear this is most 20:03.165 --> 20:05.670 certainly not open ended um it doesn't 20:05.670 --> 20:08.060 mean it limits our ability to respond . 20:08.310 --> 20:10.532 We will respond if necessary . The most 20:10.532 --> 20:12.421 powerful military in the world is 20:12.421 --> 20:14.421 postured and prepared to defend our 20:14.421 --> 20:16.754 people . But what the president gave us , 20:16.754 --> 20:18.921 as I said , was a focused , powerful , 20:18.921 --> 20:21.143 and clear mission on the destruction of 20:21.143 --> 20:23.550 Iranian nuclear capabilities . Those 20:23.550 --> 20:25.494 were the targets . That's what was 20:25.494 --> 20:27.383 struck that was overwhelming that 20:27.383 --> 20:29.494 that's what was overwhelming . That's 20:29.494 --> 20:31.328 what the Iranian regime needs to 20:31.328 --> 20:33.606 understand as the president put it out , 20:33.606 --> 20:35.717 put out last night . He wants peace . 20:35.717 --> 20:35.349 There needs to be a negotiated 20:35.349 --> 20:37.420 settlement here . We ultimately 20:37.630 --> 20:39.686 demonstrated that Iran cannot have a 20:39.686 --> 20:41.686 nuclear capability . That is a very 20:41.686 --> 20:43.959 clear mission set on this operation . 20:45.800 --> 20:48.078 Yes , um , hold on , yes , right there . 20:49.739 --> 20:51.795 Uh , thank you , Mr . Secretary . um 20:51.819 --> 20:54.097 question for uh the secretary and , uh , 20:54.097 --> 20:56.739 the chairman , how was this strike 20:56.739 --> 20:59.969 coordinated with the Israelis um on a 20:59.969 --> 21:02.819 strategic level militarily , um , and 21:02.819 --> 21:05.099 on a tactical level , was there any 21:05.099 --> 21:07.849 direct Israeli military participation 21:07.849 --> 21:11.609 in this operation ? Well I would 21:11.609 --> 21:15.339 say um certainly Israel had uh an 21:15.339 --> 21:17.979 incredible military success , 21:18.209 --> 21:20.431 especially at the beginning and ongoing 21:20.431 --> 21:23.500 in degrading Iranian capabilities in 21:23.500 --> 21:26.319 degrading Iranian launchers , MRBMs , 21:26.329 --> 21:28.551 uh , it's been incredible to watch what 21:28.551 --> 21:30.662 our ally Israel has been able to do , 21:30.810 --> 21:32.754 uh , and there certainly have been 21:32.754 --> 21:34.977 conversations . I mean , General Krilla 21:34.977 --> 21:36.977 at CETCOM has worked closely in the 21:36.977 --> 21:39.199 defense of Israel for many years , uh , 21:39.199 --> 21:41.254 and part of this operation was . The 21:41.254 --> 21:43.143 defense of Israel and the ongoing 21:43.143 --> 21:45.310 defense of Israel , but as it pertains 21:45.310 --> 21:47.421 to this strike , this was US operated 21:47.421 --> 21:49.849 and US led . We , we took advantage of 21:49.849 --> 21:51.849 some of the preparatory work that's 21:51.849 --> 21:54.071 been done over the past , uh , week and 21:54.071 --> 21:56.079 a half , uh , in terms of access of 21:56.079 --> 21:57.857 approach . I won't get into the 21:57.857 --> 22:00.190 particulars , but as the secretary said , 22:00.190 --> 22:02.910 it was a , it was a US strike , um , uh , 22:02.930 --> 22:04.986 we , we made sure we were not in the 22:04.986 --> 22:07.041 same piece of airspace and sky aside 22:07.041 --> 22:09.263 from that , that was the extent of it . 22:09.520 --> 22:11.742 We'll take a couple more , yeah , right 22:11.742 --> 22:13.742 there , uh , question the secretary 22:13.742 --> 22:15.798 first , are you concerned whatsoever 22:15.798 --> 22:17.909 now about the reaction from US allies 22:17.909 --> 22:20.020 given the strike , particularly those 22:20.020 --> 22:22.187 in the Gulf and to the chairman , if I 22:22.187 --> 22:24.353 may , uh , I understand you don't want 22:24.353 --> 22:26.464 to speak to specific assets and force 22:26.464 --> 22:26.189 protection measures , but do you 22:26.189 --> 22:28.356 anticipate at least having to bring in 22:28.356 --> 22:30.522 any further assets from other theaters 22:30.522 --> 22:32.522 to aid in force protection over the 22:32.522 --> 22:35.500 coming days ? Um , we certainly 22:35.500 --> 22:37.667 understand the challenges of allies in 22:37.667 --> 22:39.611 the region and , um , we have been 22:39.611 --> 22:41.222 respectful and in working in 22:41.222 --> 22:43.389 collaboration with them as it pertains 22:43.389 --> 22:45.611 to basing and , and , and sensitivities 22:45.611 --> 22:47.722 there , um , ultimately they've got a 22:47.722 --> 22:49.611 lot of assets and people in those 22:49.611 --> 22:51.667 locations also where American troops 22:51.667 --> 22:53.278 are co-located so that's a a 22:53.278 --> 22:55.278 consideration of ours we've been in 22:55.278 --> 22:57.278 close consultation with them and we 22:57.278 --> 22:59.611 appreciate the support that we have got . 22:59.611 --> 22:59.579 Thanks for the question on on sort of 22:59.579 --> 23:01.523 the global picture and as you know 23:01.523 --> 23:03.357 that's one of my jobs is to look 23:03.357 --> 23:05.709 globally at . At the entire , uh , 23:05.719 --> 23:08.189 range of challenges we , we are always 23:08.189 --> 23:11.449 carefully considering our force posture 23:11.449 --> 23:13.290 around the world , uh , and then 23:13.290 --> 23:16.050 offering options to the secretary and 23:16.050 --> 23:18.329 to the president . Um , I , I won't 23:18.329 --> 23:20.385 comment on any future things , but , 23:20.400 --> 23:22.400 but the American people should know 23:22.400 --> 23:24.344 that we carefully . Consider those 23:24.344 --> 23:26.456 moves , uh , around the world and try 23:26.456 --> 23:29.944 to uh modulate as needed our force 23:29.944 --> 23:32.484 structure in the , in the region . yeah 23:32.484 --> 23:34.428 right here . Thank you . Um , what 23:34.428 --> 23:36.484 communications are being sent to the 23:36.484 --> 23:38.484 Iranians right now and is there any 23:38.484 --> 23:40.651 possibility of diplomacy now or in the 23:40.651 --> 23:43.310 coming days ? I can , I can only 23:43.310 --> 23:45.477 confirm that there are both public and 23:45.477 --> 23:47.254 private messages being directly 23:47.254 --> 23:49.366 delivered to the Iranians in multiple 23:49.366 --> 23:50.977 channels , giving them every 23:50.977 --> 23:53.640 opportunity to come to the table . They 23:53.640 --> 23:55.807 understand precisely what the American 23:55.807 --> 23:58.920 position is , precisely what steps they 23:58.920 --> 24:01.359 can take to allow for peace , and we 24:01.359 --> 24:04.339 hope they do so . Yes . 24:05.150 --> 24:06.817 The president may not want an 24:06.817 --> 24:09.569 open-ended conflict . Uh , the Iranians 24:09.569 --> 24:11.680 may disagree . Are you prepared for a 24:11.680 --> 24:15.439 protracted war ? Well , um , anything 24:15.439 --> 24:17.550 can happen in conflict we acknowledge 24:17.550 --> 24:19.383 that , but the scope of this was 24:19.383 --> 24:21.328 intentionally limited . That's the 24:21.328 --> 24:23.495 message that we're sending , uh , with 24:23.495 --> 24:23.319 the capabilities of the American 24:23.319 --> 24:25.880 military nearly unlimited , uh , so 24:25.880 --> 24:28.550 Iran in that sense has a choice , uh , 24:28.609 --> 24:30.829 but we've made it very clear to them 24:30.829 --> 24:33.051 this is nuclear sites , this is nuclear 24:33.051 --> 24:35.107 capabilities , this is the line that 24:35.107 --> 24:37.599 the president set and we set that back 24:37.599 --> 24:39.599 now is the time to come forward for 24:39.599 --> 24:41.821 peace , but we . And I think but one of 24:41.821 --> 24:43.988 the takeaways from this as well , uh , 24:43.988 --> 24:46.099 is the unprecedented level of ongoing 24:46.099 --> 24:48.043 cooperation . I can't speak highly 24:48.043 --> 24:50.210 enough of the chairman and his staff , 24:50.210 --> 24:52.321 uh , and General Corella in CENTCOM . 24:52.609 --> 24:54.665 What they've done to look around the 24:54.665 --> 24:56.890 corner to preposition to understand how 24:56.890 --> 24:59.112 an operation like this comes together . 24:59.349 --> 25:01.405 The scope and scale of what occurred 25:01.405 --> 25:03.627 last night , uh , would take the breath 25:03.627 --> 25:05.793 away of almost any American if you had 25:05.793 --> 25:08.016 an opportunity to watch it in real time 25:08.016 --> 25:09.960 uh and I think Tehran is certainly 25:09.960 --> 25:12.619 calculating the reality that uh planes 25:12.619 --> 25:14.619 flew from the middle of America and 25:14.619 --> 25:16.397 Missouri overnight . Completely 25:16.397 --> 25:18.397 undetected over three of their most 25:18.397 --> 25:20.619 highly sensitive sites and we were able 25:20.619 --> 25:23.074 to destroy nuclear capabilities and our 25:23.074 --> 25:25.594 boys in those bombers are on their way 25:25.594 --> 25:27.594 home right now . We believe that'll 25:27.594 --> 25:29.875 have a clear psychological impact on 25:29.875 --> 25:31.675 how they view the future and we 25:31.675 --> 25:33.731 certainly hope they take the path of 25:33.731 --> 25:35.842 negotiated peace , but I could not be 25:35.842 --> 25:37.786 more proud of of how this building 25:37.786 --> 25:40.969 operated of the uh the precision . The 25:40.969 --> 25:43.136 sensitivity and the professionalism of 25:43.136 --> 25:45.302 the troops involved in this effort . I 25:45.302 --> 25:47.358 will take one more , uh , we'll take 25:47.358 --> 25:47.000 one more question , yes , right there . 25:48.250 --> 25:50.750 Uh , thank you , um , Mr . Secretary , 25:50.930 --> 25:53.369 uh , concerning the justification for 25:53.369 --> 25:56.130 these strikes in March , uh , the 25:56.130 --> 25:58.250 Office of the Director of National 25:58.250 --> 26:00.194 Intelligence released their threat 26:00.194 --> 26:02.361 assessment , uh , concluding , quote , 26:02.609 --> 26:04.831 Iran is not building a nuclear weapon . 26:05.310 --> 26:08.349 And Khomeini has not authorized the 26:08.349 --> 26:11.800 nuclear programs he suspended in 2003 , 26:12.770 --> 26:14.992 unquote . So what new intelligence does 26:14.992 --> 26:17.349 the US have since then that the 26:17.349 --> 26:19.571 Iranians have changed their position on 26:19.571 --> 26:21.989 nuclear weapons ? And does this new 26:21.989 --> 26:24.100 intelligence come from US sources and 26:24.100 --> 26:25.933 methods , or are we getting this 26:25.933 --> 26:29.160 information from other countries ? Well 26:29.160 --> 26:30.993 I would just simply say that the 26:30.993 --> 26:32.993 president's made it very clear he's 26:32.993 --> 26:34.938 looked at all of this , all of the 26:34.938 --> 26:37.271 intelligence , all the information , uh , 26:37.271 --> 26:37.199 and come to the conclusion that the 26:37.199 --> 26:39.630 Iranian nuclear program is a threat , 26:40.199 --> 26:42.430 uh , and was willing to take , uh , 26:42.439 --> 26:44.640 this precision operation to neutralize 26:44.640 --> 26:46.569 that threat in order to advance 26:46.569 --> 26:48.736 American national interests and reduce 26:48.736 --> 26:50.625 the Iranian nuclear program , and 26:50.625 --> 26:52.680 obviously collective self defense of 26:52.680 --> 26:54.902 ourselves and our allies , so he looked 26:54.902 --> 26:54.640 at all of it . Understood the nature of 26:54.640 --> 26:56.862 the threat and took bold action I think 26:56.862 --> 26:59.029 the American people uh would expect in 26:59.029 --> 27:01.140 a commander in chief that's all we've 27:01.140 --> 27:03.362 got thank you very much appreciate it , 27:03.362 --> 27:06.290 Mr . Chairman . Chairman , do you have 27:06.290 --> 27:06.500 any .