Premium

‘Today will be most intense attack on Iran, US winning decisively,’ says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth said the US is “winning decisively” in the war against Iran and warned the country’s new supreme leader against pursuing nuclear weapons.

3 min readMar 10, 2026 07:03 PM IST First published on: Mar 10, 2026 at 06:24 PM IST
hegseth on iran warDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks while President Donald Trump listens at the Shield of the Americas Summit at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral. (AP Photo)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said that today will be the “most intense” of attacks on Iran and that America is “winning decisively with brutal efficiency” as the war in West Asia intensifies with US military launching Operation Epic Fury against Tehran.

In Pentagon’s press briefing on the US military’s operation, Hegseth said, “We stay locked on the target” and that Washington is “winning decisively with brutal efficiency, total air dominance and an unbreakable will to accomplish the president’s objectives.”

Reiterating Trump’s previous remarks, Hegseth said they are “crushing the enemy” in an unrelenting way. “Today will be yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran. The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes. Intelligence more refined, and better than ever,” he added.

1. ‘Iran war not endless or protracted’

Talking about the duration of war, Hegseth said that US will end war with Iran “on our timeline” and it is not an “endless or protracted” war. He added that Washington will not relent in its war with Iran until “the enemy is totally and decisively defeated.”

US-Israel-Iran War:
US-Israel-Iran War: Plumes of smoke rise as strikes hit the city during the US–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo)

2. Hegseth’s warning to Iran’s new supreme leader

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the newly picked supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei that he should “heed the words” of President Donald Trump and “not pursue nuclear weapons.”

“The new leader of Iran, he would be wise to heed the words of our president, which is to not pursue nuclear weapons and come out and state as such,” Hegseth added.

Story continues below this ad

Hegseth was asked about reports which suggested that Mojtaba might have been injured in strikes on Iran, the defence secretary said that he could not comment on it, CNN reported.

3. Hegseth warns Russia to not get involved in iran war

During the Pentagon press briefing, Hegsteh also warned Russia to not get involved in the US-Israel’s attack on Iran, after reports earlier suggested that Moscow was aiding Iran’s war efforts by providing intelligence on US military targets.

Hegseth’s comments came after he was asked by reporters about President Trump’s call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin earlier today. The defence secretary described the conversation as a “strong call,” which he hoped reassured “the opportunity for some peace” in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments