No timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth
No timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that there is no defined “timeframe” for concluding the US conflict with Iran, while not dismissing news of a potential $200bn funding request by the Pentagon. The joint US-Israeli military operation, initiated three weeks ago, has continued to intensify.
President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday of destroying the world’s largest gasfield following Israeli attacks on an Iranian site, which led Tehran to escalate strikes against oil and gas facilities in the Gulf region. At a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth hinted that Thursday would mark the most significant US aerial assault to date.
“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. Today will be the largest strike package yet … death and destruction from above,” he remarked.
Despite rising oil prices and a sinking presidential approval rating, Hegseth refused to present a strategy for withdrawing from the conflict. “We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe,” he said, emphasizing that the decision to halt operations would rest with Trump.
The campaign’s scope has expanded significantly. In the Gulf, US aircraft and naval forces have targeted multiple vessels, including mine-layers and submarines, to secure the strategic Hormuz Strait, which Iran had previously blocked. Hegseth dismissed claims of mission creep as media-driven.
“Our objectives, given directly from our America-first president, remain exactly what they were on day one. These are not the media’s objectives, not Iran’s objectives, not new objectives,” he asserted, stressing that the goals are consistent and aligned with the original plan.
In a sharp critique of the media, Hegseth accused outlets of undermining progress by emphasizing costs and questioning every move. “A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing to downplay progress, amplify every cost and call into question every step. Sadly, TDS is in their DNA. They want President Trump to fail.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has reportedly requested over $200bn in additional funding from Congress to sustain the war effort. The first six days of the campaign cost nearly $13bn, according to the Guardian. “As far as $200bn, I think that number could move. Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys,” Hegseth noted.
General Dan Caine, a senior US military officer, confirmed the operation is progressing as planned, with strikes deepening into Iranian territory. Long-range munitions now reach underground storage and coastal missile sites, he said. The conflict’s reach has broadened, with A-10 “Warthog” aircraft deployed in the Gulf to intercept fast-attack crafts and Apache helicopters targeting Iran-backed groups in Iraq.
Hegseth, who has previously supported Christian nationalism, concluded his remarks with a religious appeal. “Pray for US troops on bended knee with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ,” he urged. He emphasized that his address was intended for the American public rather than the media present at the Pentagon.
“The world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, even segments of our own press should be saying one thing to President Trump – thank you. Thank you for the courage to stop this terror state from holding the world hostage with missiles while building or attempting to build a nuclear bomb. Thank you for doing the work of the free world.”
