Hegseth has a long history of hostile rhetoric toward Iran, according to multiple reports. In a 2020 book, he wrote that Iran's leaders were actively seeking nuclear weapons to bring the West to its knees. In a 2017 PragerU video, he described Iran as 'America's mortal enemy', and in a 2018 speech in Jerusalem, he referred to Iran as 'the octopus' with many tentacles.
His rhetorical attacks often came in the context of expressions of unconditional allegiance with Israel. Pentagon insiders say they have lost confidence in Hegseth, slamming his remarks about the war as 'reckless'. Hegseth held a prayer service at the Pentagon, calling on God to 'pour out your wrath' and urging 'overwhelming violence of action'.
An Army official said the remarks 'rattled me to the core', and a Pentagon official said Hegseth is 'making us seem like monsters'. Trump appeared to shift blame onto Hegseth, suggesting the Iran war was his idea. Trump said at a conference: 'Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up.
American families are bearing the cost of a war they wanted nothing to do with and have gained nothing from.
"' Hegseth warned that London could be within range of an Iranian missile strike and said Iran shot two failed missiles at a target 4,000 km away, indicating longer range than previously known. Trump mocked the Royal Navy's 'toy aircraft carriers'. ' He claimed the US set the terms of the war from start to finish.
Hegseth denied the war is a quagmire and claimed critics pose a greater threat than Iran. 5 trillion military budget and described some lawmakers as 'the biggest challenge' to the war effort. The estimated cost of the war for the US is $25 billion and counting.
Hegseth was forced to deny claims that Iran has trained kamikaze dolphins. ' General Caine joked about 'sharks with laser beams' in reference to Austin Powers. Hegseth announced a mission called 'Project Freedom' to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, separate from Operation Epic Fury and defensive in nature.
The problem with your statements, Mr Secretary, is they are dangerously exaggerated.
He told Europe to 'stop talking and get in a boat' to help reopen the Strait, adding that the US is not counting on Europe and that the Strait is more Europe's fight than America's. Hegseth declared that 'Operation Epic Fury is not an endless war' but a 'decisive campaign'. ' Hegseth berated the media over 'fake headlines' and dodged questions about protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
He claimed the US would hit Iran with the 'heaviest' firepower since the war started. Four crew members were confirmed dead after a KC-135 refueling plane crash in Iraq. Hegseth's personal broker allegedly approached BlackRock about investing in defense companies before the airstrikes, according to the Financial Times.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the allegation 'false and fabricated'. House Democrats are expected to file five impeachment articles against Hegseth, including accusations of unauthorized war, targeting civilians, and reckless handling of sensitive information. Hegseth said there will be more US casualties in the Iran war and that the assault so far was 'only just the beginning'.
This allegation is entirely false and fabricated. Neither Secretary Hegseth nor any of his representatives approached BlackRock about any such investment.
He contradicted House Speaker Mike Johnson's claim that the US is not at war with Iran. ' 13 US service members have been killed and over 200 wounded in the Iran war. Charles Simmons, the father of a US service member killed in the war, said he did not tell Hegseth to continue the war, contradicting Hegseth's claim that families urged him to 'finish the job'.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio said the Iran war is unjustified under just war theory and called Hegseth's invocations of Jesus Christ 'problematic'. Hegseth has a 32% approval rating according to a Daily Mail/JL Partners poll. Ron DeSantis is reportedly interested in becoming Secretary of War.
' Hegseth said there is no timeframe for ending the war and did not deny reports of seeking $200 billion in additional funding. He said: 'Today will be the largest strike package yet... ' He claimed over 7,000 targets have been struck in Iran.
I can't speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about.
Hegseth said the ceasefire is holding but admitted Iran has attacked US troops nearly a dozen times since the pause. General Caine said Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times, all below the threshold of restarting major combat. ' He refused to provide a timeframe for ending the war, saying it will end when Trump decides.
Trump claimed the war is 'substantially ahead of schedule'. Hegseth claimed Iran 'begged' for the ceasefire and attributed victory to 'divine providence'. He said Iran's missile program is 'functionally destroyed' and factories 'razed to the ground'.
Trump raised an eyebrow when Hegseth said the US would maintain pressure 'as long and as hard as necessary', appearing to contradict Trump's 15-point plan. Hegseth warned that America's 'hand's on that throttle' until Iran dismantles its nuclear facilities. He said: 'We negotiate with bombs.
No, I didn't say anything along those lines.
' He claimed the goal is not regime change, but that the regime did change. Hegseth said Iran's missile attacks have decreased by 90% and all 11 Iranian submarines have been destroyed. He said the US is winning the war with Iran and that the mullahs know their military is being systematically degraded.
' He said today will be the most intense day of attacks on Iran with the most fighters, bombers, and strikes. Former UK National Security Adviser Peter Ricketts said the 'special relationship' with the US is over. Hegseth mocked the 'big, bad Royal Navy' for not joining the war.
He said Europe and Asia have benefited from US protection but the time for free riding is over. Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 US soldiers from Germany within the next year. A news anchor from a Trump-friendly channel asked Hegseth when the president decided to capitulate on unconditional surrender, making Hegseth irritated.
It's a little bit problematic in the sense that, the Lord Jesus certainly brought a message of peace and also, I think, war is always a last resort.
Navy Secretary John Phelan suddenly left the administration; the Washington Post reports he was critical of Hegseth's decisions on submarines and shipbuilding. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said the world had no problem with the Strait of Hormuz until the US started the war. Hegseth slashed Pentagon departments responsible for protecting civilians in war, reducing staff from 200 to fewer than 20.
170 schoolgirls were killed in a misdirected attack in Iran two weeks ago. Stars and Stripes was disinvited from Hegseth's press conference. Democrats are sounding the alarm over Hegseth's 'no quarter' comments, which they say could constitute a war crime.
' He warned that American forces are 'locked and loaded' to attack Iran again if no deal is reached. ' Hegseth made a secret trip to an undisclosed location in the Middle East to visit troops. He snapped at a reporter, calling her 'nasty', after she interrupted him.
Hegseth said two US commercial ships with warships have already transited the Strait of Hormuz, showing the route is free. He said the US has established a 'powerful red, white and blue dome over the strait'. Hegseth faced tough questions from congressmen during a hearing on the Iran war.
He said the US military deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize every year.