Following the announcement of a ceasefire, remarks delivered at a Pentagon press briefing attributed to Pete Hegseth praised President Donald Trump for what were described as historic achievements, ranging from the killing of Qassem Soleimani to withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
He was quoted as saying that no previous U.S. president had achieved comparable successes, and that Iran would either hand over its enriched uranium or it would be taken by force. He also claimed that communication with a new Iranian regime was underway under different terms.
Hegseth stated that “Operation Epic Fury” marked a historic battlefield victory, asserting that one of the world’s major military forces had been defeated in less than 40 days. He claimed that only 10 percent of U.S. military power had been used and that Iran’s missile program had been destroyed. According to the statement, 800 strikes were carried out against Iran on a single night.
He further alleged that Iranian factories had been reduced to rubble, nuclear material had been buried underground and was under monitoring, and that Iran’s new supreme leader had been injured.
He added that there was now a genuine opportunity for peace and a new agreement, emphasizing that no one could negotiate a better deal than President Trump. He said the Pentagon had fulfilled its role.
The statement also indicated that U.S. forces would remain in the region surrounding Iran to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement, which would prevent Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons. It reiterated that enriched uranium would be surrendered or seized, and that engagement with Iran’s new leadership would take a different form.
Additionally, it was claimed that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened and that maritime traffic would resume soon, with optimism expressed about the durability of the ceasefire.
Separately, remarks attributed to General Dan Caine outlined three objectives of Operation Epic Fury: to destroy Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, eliminate its navy, and dismantle its defense industry.
He described the ceasefire as a pause, noting that forces remained ready to resume combat if necessary, while expressing hope that fighting would not resume. He claimed all military objectives had been achieved within 38 days.
According to these statements, 13,000 strikes were conducted during the operation, targeting 1,500 Iranian defense systems. Most of Iran’s naval assets were said to have been sunk, with more than 150 warships reportedly destroyed.
He also claimed that 90 percent of Iran’s defense factories and all facilities producing Shahed drones had been eliminated, and that 80 percent of Iran’s nuclear facilities had been damaged.
