The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, addressed a gathering of senior officers at the Marine Corps Base Quantico on Wednesday, asserting that American operations have effectively eliminated Iran's naval and aerial forces, as well as its broader defence apparatus. According to Hegseth, U.S. troops have rendered Iran's conventional military shield inoperative and exposed its nuclear programme to international scrutiny.
In his remarks, Hegseth praised the performance of U.S. service members, attributing the reported degradation of Iran's defence space to their actions. He indicated that the combined effect of recent operations has crippled Iran's ability to project conventional power and has significantly set back its nuclear aspirations.
The Secretary also highlighted a strategic shift within the Pentagon, describing a departure from previous policies toward a singular focus on combat readiness and warfighting. He suggested that this new orientation reflects a decisive break from earlier defence postures.
Middle East Eye reported the statements, noting that Hegseth's comments were delivered to an audience of military leaders and were framed as an assessment of the current state of Iran's armed forces. No specific operational details or timelines were provided during the briefing.
The claims come amid ongoing tensions in the region, where Iran's military activities have been closely monitored by Western governments. While the United States has not released official confirmation of the extent of the alleged destruction, Hegseth's remarks signal a strong rhetorical stance on Iran's military capabilities.
Analysts caution that such statements may serve both strategic communication purposes and domestic political messaging. The broader implications for regional security dynamics remain uncertain, as diplomatic channels continue to address concerns over Iran's missile programmes and nuclear ambitions.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hegseth-says-american-forces-have-destroyed-irans-military.