Washington, D.C., March 2 (ANI): US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday sharply criticized Iran’s Islamist regime, accusing it of waging what he described as a “savage, one-sided war against America,” and said the Trump administration is determined to bring the conflict to an end.
Addressing a press conference at the White House, Hegseth echoed President Donald Trump’s assertion that “now is wartime” and praised Operation Epic Fury, saying it is aimed at destroying Iranian offensive missile capabilities and security infrastructure to ensure the country “will never have nuclear weapons.”
“The mission of Operation Epic Fury is laser-focused: destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and ensure they will never have nuclear weapons. We’re hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly, and unapologetically. With every passing day, our capabilities get stronger and Iran’s get weaker. We set the terms of this war from start to finish. Our ambitions are not utopian. They are realistic. President Trump has been clear—now is wartime,” Hegseth said.
He argued that what he described as Iran’s “prophetic Islamist delusions,” targeting of global shipping lanes, and development of a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones could no longer be tolerated.
“Regimes like Iran, hell-bent on prophetic Islamist delusions, cannot have nuclear weapons. Many have said it, but it takes resolve to enforce it, and our president has that resolve. Iran’s stubborn nuclear pursuits, their targeting of global shipping lanes, and their swelling arsenal of ballistic missiles and killer drones are no longer tolerable risks. Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions,” he said.
Hegseth also criticized the Obama administration’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, and said the current administration has taken a different approach.
“It almost worked under President Obama and his terrible deal, but not under this president. This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” he said.
“We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. Their war on Americans has become our retribution against their Ayatollah. It took the 47th president, a fighter who always puts America first, to finally draw the line after 47 years of Iranian belligerence. If you kill Americans, if you threaten Americans anywhere on Earth, we will hunt you down without apology and without hesitation,” he added.
Hegseth further accused Iran of “indiscriminately launching missiles and drones on civilian targets of their neighbors,” describing the actions as “cowardly terrorist tactics.” He alleged that the Iranian regime has invested heavily in proxies, missiles, drones, and what he called deeply buried nuclear facilities.
“Peaceful nuclear ambitions do not need to be buried underneath mountains,” he said.
Referring to a prior US military action, Hegseth said that Operation Midnight Hammer had significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program and that the United States had offered diplomatic pathways afterward.
“Afterwards, we told them plainly, that’s it—now make a deal. They arrogantly refused. We said, rebuild it and we’ll stop you again, this time far worse. President Trump and Secretary Rubio bent over backwards for real diplomacy, offering pathway after pathway to peace. They tried over and over again. But Tehran was not negotiating. They were stalling, buying time to reload their missile stockpiles and restart their nuclear ambitions. Their goal was to hold us hostage and threaten our forces,” he said.
Addressing the human toll of the conflict, Hegseth acknowledged casualties and paid tribute to four Americans who have died.
“As the president warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties. War is hell and always will be. A grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far and those injured. The absolute best of America. May we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honors them. No apologies, no hesitation,” he said.
Calling the conflict a historic turning point, Hegseth said the administration intends to conclude the war on terms set by the United States.
“This is the generational turning point America has waited for since 1979. We will finish this on America First conditions of President Trump’s choosing—nobody else’s, as it should be,” he added. (ANI)
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