At the Pentagon briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, appearing alongside Hegseth, said US President Donald Trump’s military objectives had been achieved and welcomed the two-week ceasefire
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday claimed that Iran “begged” for this ceasefire following extensive American military action, asserting that recent operations had severely degraded the country’s military capabilities.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said Operation “Epic Fury” had “decimated” Iran’s military, alleging that its missile programme had been “functionally destroyed” and its navy effectively eliminated.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, says, “…President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it…Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield…Operation Epic Fury… pic.twitter.com/dUSLl6FUvX
— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2026
“…President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it…Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield…Operation Epic Fury decimated Iran’s military and rendered it combat-ineffective for years to come…,” said Hegseth.
He said President Trump had the power to cripple Iran’s entire economy in minutes, but he chose mercy.
“…He spared those targets because Iran accepted the ceasefire under overwhelming pressure. The new Iranian regime understood that a deal was far better than the fate that awaited them. This new regime just happened to look at what happened to their predecessors…,” added Hegseth.
Hegseth further said the United States had achieved complete air superiority, adding that US forces carried out around 800 strikes on Tuesday night targeting and destroying what he described as Iran’s defence industrial base.
He also claimed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been “wounded and disfigured” during the conflict.
According to Hegseth, Iranian military infrastructure and factories had been “razed to the ground,” adding that the Pentagon had “done its part for now.”
Despite the escalation, he said there was now a potential opening for peace, while noting that US troops involved in the conflict remain on high alert.
At the same briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said US President Donald Trump’s military objectives have been achieved and welcomed the two-week ceasefire.
In a statement, Caine expressed appreciation for public support, saying he “deeply appreciates the support of the American people, who always have us in their thoughts and prayers.”
He added that US forces have struck more than 13,000 targets since the conflict began on February 28.
Caine also assessed that approximately 90% of Iran’s naval fleet and 95% of its naval mines have been destroyed.
With inputs from agencies
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