In a recent development, the Trump administration expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with Iran, aiming to prevent an extended conflict following a surprise assault on three of Iran's nuclear facilities. This comes as US officials evaluate Tehran's nuclear objectives and the potential for retaliation against American interests.

President Donald Trump, who addressed the nation from the White House on Saturday evening, allowed his national security team to communicate on his behalf the following morning, maintaining a low profile on social media and avoiding public engagements. The synchronized messaging from his vice president, Pentagon chief, top military advisor, and secretary of state indicated confidence that any repercussions from the attack would be manageable, and that Iran's limited military capabilities would likely compel it to return to negotiations.

During a press conference, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US does not desire war with Iran, while Vice President JD Vance noted that the strikes could provide Tehran with an opportunity to negotiate with Washington.

The operation, dubbed 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' involved strategic deception and faced no resistance from Iranian forces, according to Hegseth and Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hegseth emphasized that the mission was not aimed at regime change, while Caine confirmed that the objective of destroying nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan had been successfully accomplished.

Caine reported that initial assessments indicated severe damage to all three sites, although final evaluations would take time.

In a television interview, Vance expressed confidence that the US had significantly delayed Iran's nuclear weapon development, suggesting it would take many years for Iran to achieve this capability.

The vice president remarked that the US had engaged in aggressive negotiations with Iran to seek a peaceful resolution, asserting that Trump's decision was based on the belief that Iran was not acting in good faith.

Vance suggested that this situation could serve as a chance to reset relations and negotiations, allowing Iran to choose not to pose a threat to its neighbors or the US.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on CBS's 'Face the Nation' that there are currently no planned military operations against Iran unless they attack US interests.

Trump has previously issued threats to other nations but often refrained from escalating conflicts, adhering to his commitments to avoid prolonged military engagements. It remains uncertain whether Iran perceives the avoidance of a broader conflict as beneficial.

The global community is now grappling with the implications of these strikes, which could escalate tensions in the Middle East following US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military leaders initiated a series of retaliatory actions from Iran, culminating in the US attack.

While US officials have called for caution and emphasized that only nuclear sites were targeted, Iran condemned the strikes as violations of its sovereignty and international law.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that the US would bear full responsibility for any actions Tehran might take in retaliation, declaring that the attack crossed a significant red line.

China and Russia, where Araghchi was en route for discussions with President Vladimir Putin, denounced the US military actions as a serious breach of international law, urging a return to diplomatic solutions. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement warned of the potential for the conflict to escalate to a global scale.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK was deploying military equipment to safeguard its interests and allies while focusing on finding a resolution. Leaders from Italy, Canada, Germany, and France concurred on the necessity for a swift resumption of negotiations, with France's Emmanuel Macron engaging in talks with the Saudi crown prince and the Sultan of Oman.

Iran may consider halting oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which could trigger inflationary shocks similar to those experienced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Oil prices have surged in financial markets due to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, rising by 21 percent over the past month.

The Pentagon briefing did not reveal new information regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. Hegseth indicated that the timing of the strikes was aligned with a schedule set by Trump for discussions with Iran about its nuclear ambitions.

Hegseth remarked that Iran learned that when Trump states a 60-day period for peace and negotiation, he means it. However, the White House had suggested last Thursday that Trump might take up to two weeks to decide whether to strike Iran or continue pursuing negotiations. The US capitalized on Iran's weakened air defenses, allowing for the attacks to occur without resistance.

Caine noted that Iranian fighters did not engage, and it appeared that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems were inactive during the operation.

Hegseth explained that the decision to relocate several B-2 bombers from their Missouri base was intended as a decoy to mislead Iranian forces. He added that the US employed various deceptive tactics, including deploying fighters to protect the B-2 bombers that dropped 14 bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo site.

The strikes took place on Saturday between 6:40 PM and 7:05 PM in Washington, which corresponds to approximately 2:10 AM on Sunday in Iran.