Hegseth: US Operations Against Iran Are 'Deadliest, Most Complex Air Operation in History'; Not Regime Change, Not Endless War

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference at the Pentagon on Monday, declaring that military operations against Iran — carried out on direct orders from President Trump — constitute "the deadliest, most complex, and most precise air operation in history." Hegseth stated the war aims to destroy Iran's missile capabilities, naval forces, and security infrastructure, stressing it is not a nation-building or democracy effort and will not become an endless war. He warned Iranian security forces to carefully consider their next steps and told the Iranian people that now is "their time," referencing Trump's earlier remarks. Hegseth declared: "We didn't start the war, but under President Trump's leadership, we will end it," citing 47 years of Iran's hostile behavior as justification.