US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that America "didn't start this war" while disclosing Iran's intentions to construct a "missile shield" to safeguard its nuclear ambitions. Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, Hegseth emphasized, "We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it."
Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and Military Strategy
Hegseth issued a stark warning, stating that "war is hell and it always will be," as the US confirmed a fourth soldier had died following Iranian strikes on a base in Kuwait. He detailed that "Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions," framing this as a direct threat to regional and global security.
US Response and Military Objectives
The Defense Secretary vowed that the United States would decisively crush the Islamic regime, declaring, "We will finish this." He added a forceful message: "If you kill Americans, if you threaten Americans anywhere on Earth we will hunt you down without apology and without hesitation. And we will kill you." Hegseth outlined the war goals for the mission in Iran, clarifying that regime change is not included. Instead, he described it as "a clear, devastating decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat. Destroy the Navy. No nukes."
In a rallying cry to US forces, Hegseth concluded, "Know this above all, President Trump and I have your back always through fire, through criticism, through fake news, through everything we unleash you because you are the best, most powerful, most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen."
Rising Casualties and Operational Details
Prior to Hegseth's remarks, the Pentagon announced that more US troops have been killed in the Middle East due to Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a conflict the President has warned could persist for weeks. Hegseth noted at the press conference that hundreds of ballistic missiles were fired toward troops in the region, with US forces successfully intercepting many of them.
The Pentagon confirmed on Monday morning that the death toll among American service members has increased to four. Just a day earlier, the administration had acknowledged three US troops killed in fighting with Iranian forces. US Central Command announced on X that "the fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries."
Attack Details and Military Coordination
When questioned about how the US troops were killed by Iranian forces, Hegseth revealed the incident occurred at a "tactical center" from an Iranian aerial attack. Following the secretary's statements, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine provided further insight, saying, "On Friday, February 27 the United States Central Command, through the Secretary of War, received the final go order from President Trump. The President directed and I quote, 'Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck.'"
The Pentagon has stated, "Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification."
Trump's Assessment of the Conflict Timeline
The rising death toll coincides with President Trump's comments in an exclusive phone interview with the Daily Mail on Sunday, where he indicated that fighting with Iran could extend for the next four weeks. Trump remarked, "It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so - as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less." This timeline underscores the ongoing intensity and potential duration of the military engagement in the region.
