US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that American military operations against Iran are far from over, warning that the campaign is only in its initial stages as joint US-Israeli strikes enter their second week.
In a Sunday interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes, Hegseth noted that Iran's ability to project power in the region is steadily weakening. "Diminishing and will be increasingly diminished. Again, what I want your viewers to understand is this is only just the beginning," he emphasized.
According to the Pentagon, over 50,000 US troops are deployed in the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury. By Friday, the US military had already struck approximately 3,000 targets inside Iran.
Hegseth stated that precision strikes by American forces have targeted key Iranian facilities and effectively dismantled the country's nuclear program, crediting President Donald Trump's decisive actions. However, he cautioned that Tehran has not yet abandoned its intent to rebuild its military capabilities.
Emphasizing the administration's resolve, Hegseth noted that Tehran underestimated the US president. "Ask Nicolas Maduro, ask the Houthis. Look at the southern border, at the cartels and the narco-subs. When President Trump says he is going to take care of something—he takes care of it," the Defense Secretary said.
He reiterated President Trump's demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender," setting the objective of rendering Iranian forces incapable of continuing the fight. "It means we're fighting to win. It means we set the terms. We'll know when they're not capable of fighting," Hegseth added, rejecting suggestions that the operation is nearing completion despite proceeding according to plan.
Hegseth also warned of potential American casualties as the conflict continues. "The president's been right to say there will be casualties… There will be more casualties," he noted, stating that such losses only "stiffen our spine and our resolve to say this is a fight we will finish."
Earlier, President Trump declared that he alone will determine when Iran has unconditionally surrendered, adding that decisions on concluding the operation will be made in close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a promotional clip for the interview, 60 Minutes highlighted the administration's strategic ambiguity regarding ground forces: "'People ask about boots on the ground,' says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 'President Trump knows, I know, you don't tell the enemy, you don't tell the press, you don't tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation.'"