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Pete Hegseth says Iran started the war 47 years ago as he defends Trump’s military campaign, claims US victory and rejects impeachment criticism.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US (Photo: Reuters)
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday defended the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran, declaring that the United States did not start the war and blaming Tehran for the conflict, which he said began 47 years ago.
“History will judge the Iran war quite differently than conventional wisdom right now. We didn’t start this war. Iran did, 47 years ago,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing, hours before the US House of Representatives was set to vote on an impeachment resolution against him.
Hegseth credited US President Donald Trump with taking action against Iran, arguing that the military campaign was necessary to protect American security and prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“But President Trump is willing to do what no other president would. He did the tough right thing, not for politics but for the safety and the security of the American people. That’s leadership,” Hegseth said.
The Defence Secretary also dismissed criticism of the war, insisting that the US military had achieved a historic victory through its operations against Iran.
Hegseth Claims US Achieved ‘Historic Military Victory’ Against Iran
Defending the military campaign, Hegseth said the US had inflicted extensive damage on Iran’s military capabilities through Operation Epic Fury.
At A Glance
Hegseth said Iran started the war 47 years ago.
He defended Trump’s decision to launch military operations against Tehran.
He claimed the US struck more than 13,000 targets in under 40 days.
“By every measure we achieved a historic military victory: under 40 days of sustained combat, more than 13,000 targets struck, their Navy sunk, their Air Force grounded, their defence industrial base gone, more than 80 per cent of their nuclear industrial base gone, their military in ruin,” he said.
He also claimed that the US blockade remained unbroken and that Washington controlled the Strait of Hormuz.
Hegseth further referred to Operation Midnight Hammer, describing the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan as “flawless” and “the largest and most successful B-2 strike in American history”.
He maintained that the operations had significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities and insisted that Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The Defence Secretary acknowledged that 18 Americans had lost their lives during Operation Epic Fury.
“We know their names. I’ve been to Dover. We honour them every day, but their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve,” he said.
‘It Was A Necessary Undertaking’: Hegseth Defends Trump’s Decision
Hegseth also defended Trump’s decision to launch the military campaign, arguing the operation was undertaken for the right reasons despite the surrounding political criticism.
Referring to remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Hegseth said the conflict might not be popular but was necessary.
“It’s not necessarily popular, but it may have been necessary. And that’s certainly how I feel. It was a necessary undertaking,” he said, citing Rubio’s assessment of the war.
He also invoked the experiences of previous American military engagements, including Vietnam and Korea, arguing that Operation Epic Fury had not resulted in casualties on a comparable scale.
“We lost 60,000 Americans in Vietnam over 20 years. We lost 37,000 in Korea in just three years,” Hegseth said.
He rejected suggestions that the Iran campaign could become another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict, insisting it would not follow the same trajectory.
Hegseth Calls Impeachment Attempt A ‘Political Spectacle’
Hegseth’s remarks came as he faced an impeachment effort initiated by outgoing Republican Congressman Thomas Massie.
The resolution contains eight articles accusing the Defence Secretary of high crimes and misdemeanours, covering issues ranging from the Iran war to the US military operation in Venezuela.
Calling the impeachment effort a farce and a political stunt, Hegseth argued that disagreements over military policy did not constitute impeachable offences.
“The proper remedy for a policy disagreement: it’s legislation. It’s debate. It’s the next presidential election,” he said.
He also accused lawmakers of undermining American military personnel by pursuing the impeachment resolution.
The impeachment effort also comes amid political backlash over the Iran war.
According to Reuters, voter anger over the conflict, which has settled into an effective stalemate focused on securing the Strait of Hormuz, helped Democrats win control of Congress in last week’s midterm elections.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday found that a majority of Americans wanted the newly elected Democratic-majority Congress to take action to end the war with Iran.
Despite the criticism, Hegseth remained defiant, saying he stood behind every military operation undertaken by the Trump administration.
Quick Answers
Ask News18US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the military campaign by asserting that the United States did not start the war and that Tehran initiated the conflict 47 years ago. He credited President Donald Trump with taking necessary action to protect American security, prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and achieve a historic military victory under Operation Epic Fury.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
November 11, 2026, 01:31 IST
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