Trump Claims Hegseth Advocated for War with Iran
In a recent public safety roundtable held in Memphis, Tennessee, President Trump claimed that Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth was the “first” member of his administration to advocate for military action against Iran.
Trump recounted his conversations with military leaders regarding how to approach the situation with Iran, stating that Hegseth was quick to suggest that military intervention was necessary to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“I spoke to many of our excellent people, and I indicated that we had a significant issue in the Middle East. Iran has been a source of terror for 47 years and is moving closer to nuclear capabilities,” he said, reflecting on the urgency of the situation.
Trump highlighted Hegseth’s immediate response: “Pete, I think you were the first to say, ‘Let’s do it, because we can’t let them have nuclear weapons.’” Hegseth appeared to acknowledge the president’s remarks with a nod and a slight smile.
On February 28, the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury in coordination with Israel, marking a substantial military operation in the region. As a result of this operation, U.S. forces have targeted over 9,000 sites and damaged or destroyed more than 140 Iranian vessels, according to U.S. Central Command.
While the conflict has escalated, tragically, 13 U.S. military personnel have lost their lives, and more than 200 have been injured.
In a notable development, just prior to the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, Trump announced a temporary pause on attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, attributing it to “very helpful and productive conversations” with the Iranian administration.
Iranian officials, however, denied that any negotiations had occurred. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did acknowledge meeting with his Turkish counterpart before Trump’s announcement.
Historically, Turkey has played a mediating role in U.S.-Iran tensions.
Though Trump did not identify the Iranian officials involved in these discussions, he mentioned that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were engaged in talks, implying that their safety was a priority. Meanwhile, Israeli media has identified Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf as a key contact.
Attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces on non-energy targets in Iran persist.
The war’s focus has increasingly centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes annually. Iran has blocked this strait since hostilities began, driving oil prices up to over $100 a barrel.
“We’re currently having very constructive discussions,” Trump remarked regarding his team’s efforts with Iran. “These talks started last night and the night before.”
He added, “They desire peace and are willing to agree not to pursue nuclear weapons, etc. We’ll see how it unfolds, but I think there’s a strong possibility.”
