'Not about democracy building': US sets clear mission goals for Iran op

2026-03-02 - 14:13

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military operations against Iran are not a nation-building effort like the Iraq War, emphasizing a focus on destroying Iran's missile threat and nuclear advancement. More US casualties are anticipated as the campaign is described as a "clear, devastating, decisive mission" not aimed at regime change, though the regime has indeed changed.