U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said Washington will determine when its military campaign against Iran ends, emphasizing that the conflict will conclude on terms set by the United States.
Speaking as U.S. and allied strikes intensified, Hegseth said operations would continue until Iran’s military strength is significantly degraded. “We will end this war on our timeline, at our choosing,” he said, adding that the United States would persist until the enemy is “totally and decisively defeated.”
The Pentagon has increased attacks targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including missile stockpiles, launch systems, naval assets and other defense facilities. U.S. officials say the campaign aims to limit Tehran’s ability to threaten American troops, allies and international shipping routes.
Military leaders say Iran’s missile and drone attacks have declined following sustained strikes on launch sites and weapons depots, though Tehran has continued retaliatory attacks against U.S. bases and other regional targets.
Hegseth stressed that the operation is not intended to resemble past prolonged U.S. engagements in the Middle East, describing it instead as a campaign designed to achieve rapid and decisive outcomes.
The conflict, which began in late February, has grown into one of the most serious confrontations between Washington and Tehran in decades, disrupting oil markets and raising concerns about broader regional instability.
