U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered one of his most forceful public statements yet on the expanding U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, dismissing calls for restraint from Russia and China, while signaling that the Trump administration is prepared for a prolonged and technologically advanced conflict.
Speaking to reporters while addressing questions about Operation Epic Fury, Hegseth rejected appeals from Moscow and Beijing for an immediate end to hostilities. Both countries, long viewed as Iran’s strategic partners, have warned that continued strikes risk wider global instability. Hegseth, however, brushed off their influence on U.S. decision-making.
“They are not really a factor here,” Hegseth said when asked directly about Russia and China’s position. The remark underscored Washington’s refusal to allow external pressure to shape its military timeline or objectives, even as fears grow that the conflict could draw in major global powers.
The comments came amid speculation that the United States could be sliding toward a broader confrontation involving Russia and China. The United States Secretary of War did not explicitly announce plans to go to war with either power, but his rhetoric suggested that the administration was unconcerned by their opposition and prepared to act unilaterally if it deemed it necessary.
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At the center of the campaign is Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israel military effort targeting Iran’s military infrastructure. When asked whether advanced artificial intelligence systems or fully autonomous weapons are being deployed in the operation, Hegseth offered a carefully worded response.
“We’ve got a lot of autonomous systems, drones, and others, incorporated with smart AI aspects to them,” he said, adding that many details remain classified. “A lot of which I can’t talk about here.”
While Hegseth stopped short of confirming the use of fully autonomous lethal weapons, his remarks suggested that advanced technologies are playing a significant role in the campaign’s execution.
Hegseth also emphasized that there are few political constraints on how long the operation may last. According to him, the only real limitation is the will of Donald Trump.
“The only limits we have is President Trump’s desire to achieve specific effects on behalf of the American people,” Hegseth said. “You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three.”
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Hegseth made clear that U.S. forces have been granted expansive authority to conduct operations.
“Death and destruction from the sky all day long,” he said, describing the intensity of the air campaign. “We’re playing for keeps. Our warfighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly.”
He added that the rules of engagement are designed to empower U.S. forces rather than restrict them. “Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth’s comments now suggest that Washington sees the conflict with Iran as largely insulated from external diplomatic pressure.
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