US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday outlined Washington’s objectives in the escalating conflict with Iran, saying that while the United States did not start the war, it will “finish it” under President Donald Trump.
Shortly after the bombing began, Trump, in an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social site, said the US had launched a “massive and ongoing” attack against Iran intended to destroy its military capabilities and overthrow the brutal Islamic regime that took power after Iran’s 1979 revolution.
However, speaking at a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth emphasised that the military campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, is not aimed at regime change or nation-building, but at neutralising Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, and preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“Didn’t start this war, but will end war under President Trump,” Hegseth said.
He called on the Iranian people to “take advantage” of what he described as an opportunity for change, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“We hope the Iranian people take advantage of this incredible opportunity. President Trump has been clear, now is your time,” Hegseth said.
“We saw many, many of the Iranian people seek a change there. This is their moment to take advantage of it.”
At the same time, Hegseth maintained that the conflict is not aimed at toppling the government in Tehran. “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it,” he said.
Hegseth stressed that the US mission is targeted and decisive. “Our mission is to destroy Iran’s missiles, navy and deny Tehran nuclear weapons,” he said. “We’re hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly and unapologetically.”
The defence secretary sought to differentiate the operation from past US military campaigns in the Middle East.
“This is not Iraq. This is not an endless war,” he said, highlighting that the United States would avoid the "nation-building quagmires" that followed earlier conflicts. “This is the opposite,” Hegseth added. “This operation is a clear, devastating, decisive mission: Destroy the missile threat, destroy the Navy, no nukes.”
He also acknowledged that the military action would come at a human cost. “The Iran operation will include casualties,” he said, without providing further details.
Four American troops have been killed in action. Trump on Sunday predicted there would be more U.S. casualties.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine on Monday said the U.S. expected to have additional losses.
“We grieve with you, and we will never forget you," he said of the family members of those killed.
Addressing criticisms about the nature of the war, Hegseth clarified that the campaign is not aimed at democracy-building in Iran. “No stupid rules of engagement, no nation-building quagmire, no democracy-building exercise. No politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don’t waste time or lives,” he said.
Hegseth reiterated that Iran’s long history of attacks against the US had provoked a “one-sided war against America” and that the current operations are focused on securing US and allied interests in the region.
“This is not another Iraq,” he concluded, underlining the administration’s commitment to a swift and targeted campaign with clear objectives, avoiding the protracted entanglements of past conflicts.
US President Donald Trump throughout the 2024 presidential campaign had insisted he would use his deal-making skills to end multiple global conflicts. In his election night victory speech in November 2024, Trump, according to The Guardian, told his supporters: “I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars.”