Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Briefs on Iran War Amid Trump's Mixed Messaging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine held a press briefing on Tuesday, providing updates on the ongoing military operations against Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the United States is “crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force,” describing the conflict as a 10-day battle that has intensified with each passing day. He warned that Tuesday would mark “the most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” with increased numbers of fighters, bombers, and refined intelligence targeting key infrastructure. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, offered conflicting assessments of the war’s progress. On Monday, he described Operation Epic Fury as a “short excursion,” yet simultaneously threatened to escalate the campaign with more “fury” to achieve its objectives. Trump’s remarks came as the economic fallout of the conflict began to take shape, with rising oil prices and concerns over gas costs growing among Republicans. The president argued that higher fuel prices were a “very small price to pay” for eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat, a stance that has drawn criticism from GOP lawmakers worried about its impact on the November elections. Trump’s comments also touched on his relationship with Vice President JD Vance, whom he described as “maybe less enthusiastic” at the start of the war. Despite this, Trump claimed the two “get along very well on this,” suggesting a degree of unity within the administration. However, tensions within the Republican Party have intensified as Trump’s demand for the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act—requiring proof of citizenship for voting—has placed pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune.#donald_trump #pete_hegseth #dan_caine #john_thune #j_d_vance
Next phase of Iran war ‘will be even more punishing’: Rubio, Trump officials brief Congress Rubio told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that the U.S. military’s next phase of operations against Iran will be “even more punishing” than current efforts. He declined to specify tactical details but emphasized that the “hardest hits are yet to come.” The remarks came during a briefing with Congress, part of a series of meetings between administration officials and lawmakers this week. In addition to Rubio’s session, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine will address Congress on Tuesday. The White House confirmed the schedule, highlighting the administration’s ongoing efforts to brief lawmakers on military actions in Iran. Rubio warned of an “imminent threat” from Iran but did not provide a clear timeline for the conflict, stating the U.S. would continue operations “as long as it takes to achieve” its objectives. He asserted that the world will be “safer” after the mission concludes. Congressional sessions resumed after a break following attacks on Iran, which killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Senate returned late Monday, and the House plans to reconvene on Tuesday. White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson noted that congressional staff had also been briefed, with the Department of War providing over 90 minutes of details to bipartisan national security committees. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the briefings as insufficient, arguing they raised more questions than they answered. Schumer, who attended Rubio’s session, called the information “completely and totally insufficient” and expressed skepticism about the administration’s claims of an imminent threat.#pete_hegseth #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #dan_caine #john_ratcliffe #rubio
Trump cites 'intolerable threat' in explaining Iran strikes President Donald Trump on Monday defended the U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, calling the nation’s ballistic missile program and nuclear ambitions an "intolerable threat" to the Middle East and American security. Speaking at a Medal of Honor event at the White House, he outlined the objectives of the operation, which began Saturday, as eliminating Iran’s missile capabilities, destroying its navy, preventing the development of nuclear weapons, and ensuring the Iranian regime could no longer support terrorist groups abroad. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine provided updates on the operation, which has resulted in six U.S. casualties and over a dozen injuries. The strikes have also led to a tense situation in the region, with Kuwait reporting that three American F-15s were shot down in a friendly fire incident on Sunday. The U.S. military confirmed that the pilots were safely ejected. Hegseth emphasized that the operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," was not aimed at regime change but that the Iranian leadership had effectively been replaced following the strikes. Iran’s leadership has undergone significant changes amid the conflict. The country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those killed in the attacks, marking the end of his 35-year rule. Over 500 Iranians have died in the strikes, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. An interim leadership council now oversees the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. The U.S. has urged citizens to leave several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, due to safety risks.#iran #pete_hegseth #president_donald_trump #operation_epic_fury #dan_caine
