In a joint statement by Pentagon officials, US Defense Secretary Pete Hagerty said that the goal of the operation to strike Iran "is not, and never was, regime change." Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance said in an interview with NBC that "the US is not at war with Iran - but with its nuclear program." According to Vance, "Trump did not take this action lightly, it provides an opportunity to reset relations and talks with Iran. We received indirect messages from Tehran."