Hegseth says Trump, amid mixed messages on timeline and nation building, will decide when Iran war is over
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a bold statement on Tuesday, asserting that the United States will bring an end to its war with Iran on its own terms and schedule. This declaration comes amidst confusion surrounding the timeline of the operation and its ultimate goal.
Hegseth refrained from providing a specific timeline for the duration of the military campaign, indicating that Tuesday would witness the most intense day of strikes in the 11-day conflict. He emphasized that the decision to conclude the war rests with President Donald Trump.
“The president has outlined a specific mission for us to accomplish, and our duty is to deliver on that relentlessly,” Hegseth stated during a press briefing at the Pentagon. He added, “The control over when we achieve those objectives lies with him, as the elected representative of the American people.”
President Trump has offered conflicting statements on the status of the war. While he mentioned to CBS News on Monday that the war is “very complete, pretty much,” the Defense Department’s social media account posted a message stating, “We have Only Just Begun to Fight.” When pressed by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang, Trump reiterated that the beginning of rebuilding a new country is underway, highlighting the lack of military capabilities on Iran’s part.
Trump expressed optimism about the imminent conclusion of the war, labeling it as a “short-term excursion” and emphasizing the success achieved thus far. The objectives of the military offensive, as outlined by Trump and his top officials, include dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, neutralizing their Navy, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and curbing the regime’s support for terrorism beyond its borders. However, the broader objectives post-conflict remain ambiguous.
The president hinted at the possibility of declaring victory in the military campaign soon, despite Iran’s continued governance and possession of enriched uranium. Trump also hinted at the prospect of regime change in Iran, expressing reservations about the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
While Trump hinted at potential U.S. ground troop involvement in Iran, he emphasized that any such decision would require a compelling rationale. Hegseth reassured on Tuesday that there would be no “mission creep” and emphasized the decisive and efficient nature of the military operation.
“This is not a never-ending endeavor. We are not engaged in prolonged nation-building efforts. Instead, we are achieving the president’s objectives with unwavering determination, overwhelming air superiority, and a steadfast commitment to success,” Hegseth affirmed.
