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Hegseth says Iran Strikes ‘Not Endless’ as War Widens
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran are decisive and not a prolonged war, as casualties rise, regional fighting intensifies, and questions emerge over the administration’s claims of imminent threats.
Hegseth picture by DVIDS
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday sought to quell concerns that the ongoing U.S-Israel military strikes in Iran could spiral into a prolonged regional war, declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” as the conflict intensified and casualties continued to rise across the Middle East.
Hegseth, joined by Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered the Trump administration’s first formal news briefing since Saturday’s strikes. President Donald Trump has conducted several phone interviews with reporters but has not taken questions on camera and has released only two videos since the operation began.
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Hegseth described the operation as having a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” aimed at destroying Iran’s missile threat, dismantling its navy and ensuring “no nukes.”
“No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives,” Hegseth said.
Asked whether U.S. troops were currently on the ground in Iran, Hegseth replied, “No, but we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do,” adding that it would be “foolishness” to publicly outline operational limits.
He also suggested the U.S. was not seeking regime change despite the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.
The briefing came as the conflict expanded into a wider regional war. Iran and allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.S. military targets across the Middle East.
Four American troops have been killed in action, and Trump predicted Sunday that additional U.S. casualties were likely. Caine acknowledged Monday that further losses were expected.
“We grieve with you, and we will never forget you,” Caine said, addressing the families of those killed.
In a further sign of escalating tensions, U.S. ally Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American fighter jets during a combat mission amid Iranian aircraft, ballistic missile and drone attacks. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots aboard the American F-15E Strike Eagles ejected safely and were in stable condition.
U.S. officials have not outlined an exit strategy or signaled when the conflict might end. The killing of Khamenei has cast uncertainty over the future of Iran’s Islamic Republic and deepened regional instability.
Making the case for the strikes, Hegseth said the Iranian regime had “waged a savage, one-sided war against America” for 47 years.
“Their war on Americans has become our retribution against their Ayatollah and his death cult,” he said.
Hegseth did not cite any imminent nuclear threat from Iran and reiterated that last summer’s joint U.S.-Israeli strikes had “obliterated their nuclear program to rubble.” Instead, he pointed to Iran’s ballistic missiles and drones as justification for the operation.
“Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions,” he said, adding that Iranian officials had been “stalling” during negotiations with U.S. counterparts prior to the attack.
“The former regime had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal. But Tehran was not negotiating,” Hegseth said.
Caine outlined a timeline of the operation, stating that Trump authorized the strikes at 3:38 p.m. EST Friday while aboard Air Force One en route to Texas with Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and actor Dennis Quaid.
In an interview Sunday with The New York Times, Trump said the assault could last “four to five weeks.” Hegseth downplayed questions about the duration.
“President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take. Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move up. It could move back,” he said.
Trump said the U.S. and Israel had already struck hundreds of targets, including Iranian missile sites and naval assets, claiming destruction of naval headquarters and multiple warships.
Caine said that similar to last year’s bunker-buster bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, the current operation dubbed Epic Fury utilized B-2 stealth bombers, which completed a 37-hour round trip.
He also emphasized the use of cyber capabilities, saying they had “effectively disrupted communications and sensor networks,” leaving “the adversary without the ability to coordinate or respond effectively.”
Without detailing specifics, Caine said U.S. forces delivered “synchronized and layered effects designed to disrupt, degrade, deny and destroy Iran’s ability to conduct and sustain combat operations on the U.S. side.”
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 555 people have been killed in Iran in the U.S - Israeli campaign. Authorities reported 11 deaths in Israel and 31 in Lebanon.
The news conference preceded a scheduled briefing for congressional leadership by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio, Hegseth, Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were also set to brief the full Congress on Tuesday.
In a private Sunday briefing, Trump administration officials told congressional staff that U.S. intelligence did not indicate Iran was preparing to launch a preemptive strike against the United States, according to three people familiar with the session. Officials acknowledged a broader regional threat from Iran’s missiles and proxy forces, while one person said the administration emphasized those capabilities posed an imminent threat to U.S. personnel and allies.
The message conveyed to congressional staff contrasted with Trump’s public statement that the mission aimed to eliminate “imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Senior administration officials had told reporters Saturday there were indicators Iran could launch a preemptive attack.
Editor’s Note:
This report details statements made by U.S. officials regarding the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, including casualty figures and intelligence assessments as presented during official briefings. Developments remain fluid, and information may be updated as additional details emerge from U.S., regional and international sources.
