Pete Hegseth Warns Iran's New Supreme Leader: "Do Not Pursue Nuclear Weapons"
Hegseth said the US will not relent until Iran is totally and decisively defeated on its timeline.
United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the ongoing military campaign against Iran is intensifying, warning that the day would witness the “most intense” attacks so far. Speaking during a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth stated that the United States is “winning decisively with brutal efficiency” as military operations continue under Operation Epic Fury. His remarks come amid escalating conflict in West Asia involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
During the briefing, Hegseth said American forces remain focused on their objectives and maintain complete operational control in the conflict. He claimed the United States has achieved “total air dominance” and is continuing strikes with increased precision and intelligence. According to him, the latest phase of operations would involve a larger number of fighter jets, bombers, and coordinated strikes across targets inside Iran.
Hegseth also reiterated comments previously made by Donald Trump, saying the US military is relentlessly targeting enemy capabilities. He stated that American forces are “crushing the enemy” through sustained operations designed to weaken Iran’s military infrastructure. The defence secretary added that intelligence gathering has improved significantly, allowing US forces to conduct more precise and coordinated attacks.
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Addressing concerns about the duration of the conflict, Hegseth said the United States does not intend to engage in a prolonged war. He stressed that the campaign will conclude according to Washington’s strategic timeline rather than becoming an “endless or protracted” conflict. According to him, operations will continue until the US achieves what he described as the total and decisive defeat of enemy forces.
The defence secretary also issued a warning to Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Hegseth said the Iranian leadership should heed the warnings issued by President Donald Trump and avoid pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities. He emphasised that the United States considers the prevention of nuclear development in Iran a critical strategic objective.
The statements come amid rising tensions across the region as military operations intensify and diplomatic concerns grow among global powers. Analysts say the conflict could have major implications for regional stability, energy markets, and international security if hostilities continue to escalate in the coming weeks.
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