No timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth
No timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth
On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the ongoing military campaign against Iran lacks a defined conclusion date, while acknowledging the possibility of requesting additional $200bn in funding from Congress. The US-Israeli offensive, launched three weeks ago, has escalated rapidly, with Hegseth hinting that the coming day would mark the most significant US strike yet.
“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure,” Hegseth stated, adding that “today will be the largest strike package yet … death and destruction from above.”
Despite soaring oil prices and a declining presidential approval rating, Hegseth refused to outline a clear exit strategy, asserting that the mission’s objectives—dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, weakening its defense-industrial capacity, and halting its nuclear ambitions—remain steadfast under the “America-first” administration. He emphasized that these goals were “given directly from our America-first president” and have not shifted since the conflict began.
As the war expands, US forces have intensified operations in the Gulf, deploying aircraft and naval units to disrupt Iranian supply lines and secure the critical Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth dismissed concerns about mission creep as media-driven, insisting the campaign is “on track” and that President Trump will determine when to pause.
“We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe,” he said, noting that “it will be at the president’s choosing, ultimately, where we say, ‘Hey, we’ve achieved what we need to.’”
The military’s reach has grown, with long-range strikes now targeting underground facilities and coastal missile sites using specialized munitions. General Dan Caine, a top US officer, highlighted the deepening incursion into Iranian territory, citing efforts to counter drone threats and neutralize strategic assets. In Iraq, Apache helicopters are engaging militia groups linked to Tehran, while allied forces deploy similar systems to intercept Iranian attack drones.
Reflecting on the conflict’s trajectory, Hegseth accused the media of undermining the administration’s efforts, labeling it “dishonest and anti-Trump” and accusing it of “TDS [Trump derangement syndrome] in their DNA.” He concluded with a religious appeal, urging Americans to pray for troops “on bended knee with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ.”
