US Defence Chief Reveals Iranian Assassin Targeting Trump Was 'Hunted Down and Killed'
In a dramatic Pentagon press conference, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that an Iranian agent who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump has been 'hunted down and killed'. Hegseth asserted that Iran's rulers orchestrated the plot to kill the US president, but Trump ultimately had the 'last laugh' following the agent's demise during recent military operations.
Details of the Assassination Plot and Military Escalation
Hegseth stated, 'The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump. And President Trump got the last laugh.' The operation to eliminate the commander occurred yesterday, though Hegseth did not identify the individual by name. This revelation follows a 2024 US Justice Department case charging an Iranian man in connection with an alleged assassination plot ordered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against Trump during his presidential campaign.
During the same briefing, Hegseth confirmed additional military actions, including a US submarine torpedo sinking an Iranian warship. Authorities in Sri Lanka reported 80 fatalities and 32 rescues from the distressed Iranian Navy vessel off the coast. The US military has previously destroyed 17 Iranian vessels, with Hegseth noting the goal is to sink 'the entire navy'. He described last night's strike as the first such attack on an enemy since World War II, declaring, 'The Iranian navy rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf.'
Casualties and Defence Measures in the Conflict
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including six American soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike on an operations centre in a civilian port in Kuwait on Sunday. Hegseth acknowledged that further American losses are possible, emphasizing enhanced defence efforts: 'We have pushed every counter-UAS [Unmanned Aircraft System] system possible forward, sparing no expense or capability. Like I said, this does not mean we stop everything.'
UK Prime Minister Comments on US-UK Relations
In related developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions, highlighting the 'special relationship' between the US and UK. He cited American planes operating from British bases and British jets intercepting drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East as examples of this alliance. However, Starmer cautioned against over-reliance on Trump's rhetoric, stating, 'Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe. That is the special relationship in action. Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action.' This comes after Trump criticized Starmer for refusing to join the US-Israeli offensive, with Starmer insisting the UK requires a clear 'legal basis' for such strikes.
The situation underscores escalating tensions in the region, with Hegseth's briefing revealing both covert assassination attempts and overt military engagements. The US defence chief's four-word take—'hunted down and killed'—highlights the aggressive response to threats against President Trump, while broader conflicts continue to unfold with significant international implications.
