U.S. Defense Secretary: 'We didn't start this war, but we will finish it'

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military operations against Iran will not lead to an 'endless war.' According to him, the goal is to destroy Iranian missiles, the Iranian Navy, and other security infrastructure in Tehran.

Hegseth declined to provide a timeline for the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, emphasizing that it is up to President Donald Trump to decide the duration of the military campaign.

'We are hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly, and unapologetically,' Hegseth said at a press conference at the Pentagon, the first since the start of the war.

The U.S. Defense Secretary noted that there are no American soldiers on Iranian soil, but added that the U.S. will go 'as far as necessary.' He also stressed that the operation is neither a 'democracy-building exercise' nor a 'regime change war.'

According to Hegseth, the objectives of the operation are to destroy Iranian offensive missiles, Iranian missile production, the Navy, and other security infrastructure, as well as to prevent the acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Hegseth claimed that Iran is trying to hide its efforts to build nuclear weapons and praised Israel's cooperation.

He acknowledged losses, mourning the deaths of four American soldiers since the start of the operation.