19.03.2026 16:10
During a press conference held at the Pentagon, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated, "Our determination to eliminate Iran's drone and missile capabilities continues. We have struck 7,000 targets in Iran, destroyed their ships. We have destroyed 11 submarines. We are hunting Iran with overwhelming force. Our ungrateful allies should thank Trump."
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made striking statements regarding operations against Iran at a press conference held at the Pentagon. Stating that military activities in the region continue, Hegseth said they are still targeting Iran's military capacity.
"UNGRATEFUL ALLIES..."
Pete Hegseth, who said, "We hit 7,000 targets in Iran, we destroyed their ships," added, "We have destroyed 11 submarines. We are hunting Iran with overwhelming force. Our ungrateful allies should thank Trump."
"TARGETS ARE HIT WITH PRECISION"
Expressing that military targets in Iran are being effectively hit, Hegseth stated, "Targets in Iran are being hit with precision and as planned. Our targets have not changed since the first day of the war." As he does in every press conference, Hegseth emphasized that attacks are continuing intensively, claiming that 11 submarines belonging to Iran have been hit so far and that the ballistic missile production capacity has also suffered a heavy blow.
"NO TIMELINE"
Regarding when the war will end, Hegseth stated that this decision belongs to U.S. President Donald Trump, saying, "Therefore, there is no timeline. But we are progressing as planned. Absolutely."
"WE ARE HUNTING MERCILESSLY"
Hegseth expressed that operations against Iran are being carried out with determination, also targeting the Revolutionary Guards. Stating that reaching a high position in the Revolutionary Guards has now become a temporary job, Hegseth argued that Iran has been allocating its resources to military investments for years. Hegseth said, "Iran is an endless country, and just like Hamas and their tunnels, they spend every aid they receive on tunnels and rockets. However, we are hunting them in a methodical, merciless, and overwhelming manner that no army in the world can do. The results are evident."
HARSH CRITICISM OF THE MEDIA
In his speech, Hegseth also targeted the media, accusing some press organizations of being "anti-Trump." Hegseth stated, "They will do everything they can to exaggerate the cost of the war, belittle the progress, and question every step taken. Unfortunately, TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is ingrained in their DNA. They want Trump to fail, but the American people know the truth."
Claiming that the media is portraying the conflict differently, Hegseth said, "Although not all of the media here, a large part of it wants to make you think that we are being dragged into an endless war, even though we are only on the 19th day of this conflict. The truth has nothing to do with this."
PRAISE FOR GULF COUNTRIES, CRITICISM OF ALLIES
Hegseth also directed criticisms at some allied countries in his speech. Saying, "The world, our ungrateful allies in the Middle East, Europe, and even some segments of our own press should say one thing to Trump: Thank you," Hegseth praised the support of Gulf countries. Highlighting the stance of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, Hegseth stated that they are proud to work together with these countries.
"I TOLD MY SON 'THEY DIED FOR YOU'"
At the end of his speech, Hegseth shared a personal memory. Noting that his 13-year-old son asked him about the war, Hegseth said, "I looked at him and said, 'They died for you, son. So that your generation does not have to deal with a nuclear-armed Iran.'"