Iran tensionsUS strikes on Iran not aimed at regime change, Pentagon chief says
Tehran decision on closing oil chokepoint Strait of Hormuz would fall to security body
A poster of "Operation Midnight Hammer" is displayed during a Pentagon briefing June 22 after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities. (Defense Department/via Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. military's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites were not a preamble to plans for regime change, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday, adding that private messages had been sent to Tehran encouraging them to negotiate.