United States (US) Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he does not ‘understand why the base’ does not have confidence in President Donald Trump’s ability to execute military plans in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking at a press briefing on March 31, Hegseth said a ground invasion remains a possible option, but is not inevitable.
Hegseth said that the U.S. approach is deliberately unpredictable, designed to keep adversaries uncertain while retaining flexibility in military planning.
He added that while ground action could be carried out if needed, it might not ultimately be used, underscoring the U.S. strategy of maintaining unpredictability in military planning.
“If we needed to, we could execute those options, or maybe we don’t have to use them at all. The point is to be unpredictable in that,” he said.
He added that the upcoming days will be decisive in the war on Iran.
Hegseth on the Ongoing War in Iran
Pete Hegseth reiterated that Washington remains committed to ending the conflict with Iran on terms set by the US President.
He said there is no fixed timeline for concluding the war, while noting that negotiations on the war are still progressing.
Hegseth stressed that although the United States seeks a diplomatic resolution, it remains prepared to continue military operations if talks fail.
However, he said that Washington is not ruling out any option when it comes to deploying troops in Iran, keeping the possibility of ground involvement open as the conflict evolves.
Also Read: Hegseth Says US And Israel Could Soon Have ‘Complete Control of Iranian skies’
US Says It Has Struck 11,000 Targets, Destroyed Over 150 Iranian Ships
At the same briefing, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, said US forces have carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets over the past month.
He noted that operations are not limited to Iran’s ballistic missile systems and unmanned aerial capabilities but also focus on disrupting supply chains that support the country’s military efforts.
Caine added that precision strikes continue against key manufacturing sites, research facilities, and uranium-related infrastructure, targeting locations central to Iran’s weapons development and strategic capacity.
Also Read: Trump Shifts Blame, Says Someone in His Cabinet Does Not Want the Iran War to End
He also said the US military has destroyed more than 150 Iranian naval vessels during the same period.
He added that US forces will continue efforts to weaken and dismantle Iran’s military capabilities, with the current campaign aimed at reducing Tehran’s operational strength.
Caine said the ongoing operations are focused on targeting and degrading key manufacturing and research facilities that support Iran’s weapons development.
Hegseth also stated that he had travelled to the Middle East on Saturday to meet American troops deployed in the region, amid heightened tensions related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
During the visit, Hegseth spoke directly with service members to assess their needs. He reported that the troops prioritized the mission over personal comfort or equipment upgrades, emphasizing their commitment despite challenging conditions.
