US-Israel Strikes on Iran: Hegseth Declares ‘Not Iraq, Not Endless’ Amidst Escalating Conflict

Washington – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted on Monday that the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran represent a distinct situation from the protracted conflict in Iraq, stating, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.” The declaration came as concerns mount over the potential for the operation to escalate into a wider regional conflict, even as Hegseth cautioned that further American casualties are probable in the coming weeks.

First Public Remarks Since Strikes

Hegseth, alongside Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered the Trump administration’s first formal briefing since the strikes began on Saturday. President Donald Trump has primarily communicated through video statements and brief remarks at public events, but has not taken questions from the press.

Justification for the Operation

Trump emphasized that Iran’s ballistic missile program had been “growing rapidly and dramatically,” posing a significant threat to U.S. Forces stationed overseas. Hegseth echoed this sentiment, outlining the operation’s “decisive mission” to eliminate the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles, dismantle its navy, and prevent the development of nuclear weapons. He stated the goal was to ensure “no nukes.”

Not a Regime Change War, But…

Hegseth maintained that the operation was “not a so-called regime-change war,” but acknowledged the removal of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had fundamentally altered the political landscape and increased regional instability. He added it was “no nation-building quagmire, no democracy-building exercise.” However, Trump urged members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and military police to lay down their arms and called on the Iranian people “to take back your country.”

Escalation and Casualties

The conflict has already expanded beyond Iran’s borders, with Iran and its allied groups launching missiles at Israel, Arab states, and U.S. Military targets throughout the Middle East. Four American troops have been killed, and Hegseth, Caine, and Trump anticipate further casualties. Details surrounding the circumstances of the troops’ deaths have not been released.

Kuwaiti Incident

Adding to the escalating tensions, the U.S. Military reported that Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American fighter jets during a combat mission, misidentifying them as Iranian aircraft. All six pilots ejected safely and are in stable condition.

U.S. Ground Troops?

When questioned about the presence of U.S. Ground troops in Iran, Hegseth responded, “No, but we’re not going to head into the exercise of what we will or will not do.” He dismissed expectations of transparency, stating it would be “foolishness” to publicly disclose the limits of U.S. Involvement. Trump, in an interview with the New York Post, did not rule out deploying U.S. Forces if “they were necessary,” stating he “don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground.”

Timeline and Duration

While Trump suggested the mission could take four to five weeks, Hegseth dismissed questions about a specific timeline, asserting that Trump had “latitude” to determine the operation’s duration. He offered a range of possibilities, stating, “Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks… It could move up. It could move back.”

Iran’s Actions and Negotiations

Hegseth asserted that Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for its nuclear ambitions, effectively holding “a conventional gun to our head as they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb.” He claimed Iranian officials were “stalling” during negotiations despite having “every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal.” He also characterized Iran’s government as having instigated the conflict over the past 47 years, waging “a savage, one-sided war against America.”

Intelligence Assessment

According to a briefing provided to congressional staffers, U.S. Intelligence did not indicate that Iran was preparing a preemptive strike against the U.S. However, Trump initially stated the objective was to eliminate “imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

Military Capabilities Employed

The military employed B-2 stealth bombers, making a 37-hour round trip, and penetrating bombs targeting underground facilities. Over 1,000 targets have been struck, including Iranian missile sites and naval assets. Cyber technologies were also utilized to “effectively disrupt communications and sensor networks.”

Authorization and Command

Trump authorized the strikes at 3:38 p.m. EST on Friday while aboard Air Force One en route to Texas.