Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has issued a strong endorsement of the U.S. and Israel’s joint strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which she described as a pivotal moment for American credibility in the Middle East. The operation, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, was executed by U.S. B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, targeting three critical Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Rice, who served in the George W. Bush administration, emphasized that the strikes likely dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, potentially setting its program back ‘many years.’
During an exclusive interview with Fox News on Thursday, Rice praised the successful execution of the operation, noting the coordination between U.S. and Israeli forces. She highlighted the strategic significance of the strikes, stating, “We will eventually know precisely how much the Iranian program was damaged, but I think all of the evidence is that it was substantially, significantly damaged to the place that, for a while at least, it will be hard to build a nuclear weapon.”
However, Rice expressed strong criticism of a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report that suggested the strikes did not achieve their intended objectives. She called the assessment “irresponsible,” arguing that it undermined the credibility of the U.S. military operation and its strategic impact. “When you look at what the Israelis were able to do to Hezbollah, what they were able to do to Hamas — the significant efforts against the Iranian military establishment, against scientists. This really is a now-crippled Iran,” she said.
Rice also voiced her skepticism regarding Iran’s intentions for peace, stating that the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy is rooted in its continued hostility toward Israel. “We’ve had 46 years of the Iranians destabilizing the region, killing Americans. We’ve had 46 years of their proxies holding terror against Israel, against Iraq, against the people of the Middle East. So, no, they don’t want peace,” she emphasized. This sentiment aligns with broader U.S. policy under the Trump administration, which has consistently viewed Iran as a major threat to regional stability.
In addition, Rice highlighted the importance of demonstrating American credibility on the global stage, especially following former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. “Credibility is not something that you establish one day and then you sort of dial it in and say it’s done. We have to keep establishing that the United States is going to try and shape the international system, not just be a victim of it,” she stated.
The Trump administration has also been pushing for diplomatic talks with Iran in the wake of the strikes, but Rice remains skeptical about Iran’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. She argued that the strikes serve as a clear demonstration of U.S. military capability and resolve, and that such actions are essential to maintaining American influence in the region.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the operation, calling it a “resounding success” that contributed to the ceasefire agreement and the end of the 12-Day War. “President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history. And it was a resounding success,” he stated during a press briefing at the Pentagon.