US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that America had a “decisive military victory against Iran” in comments to the press on Wednesday. He added that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded and disfigured.
Regarding the ceasefire, Hegseth stated that Iran had “begged” for it, saying the US had used “less than 10%” of its military capabilities in Operation Epic Fury.
Hegseth noted that the US had conducted 800 strikes on Tuesday night prior to the ceasefire, “destroying” Iran’s defense industrial base, further describing Iranian factories as having been “razed to the ground.”
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth said the Strait is “open” and that Iran will allow ships to transit it, further stating that US forces will ensure Iran abides by the ceasefire’s terms and that the US military will be “hanging around” Iran.
“We hope and believe the ceasefire will hold,” said Hegseth. “Iran would be wise to get the word out to their troops to stop firing.”
Hegseth also discussed the issues of Iran’s enriched uranium, saying that Iran will either give the uranium to the US, or “we’ll take it out.”
To our Israeli allies,” added Hegseth, “thank you for being a brave, capable, and willing ally on this battlefield.”
US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine also spoke to the press on Wednesday, stating that US forces had struck over 13,000 Iranian targets over the course of the operation.
Caine reiterated Hegseth’s claims of US victory, stating that US military objectives in Iran “have been met.”
Regarding the results of the operation, Caine stated that Iran had lost 80% of its air defense systems, 90% of its weapon factories, and over 90% of its conventional naval forces.
“It will take years for Iran to rebuild any major surface combatants,” said Caine.
Caine added that the US will “continue to monitor” the movement of Iranian military forces, describing the ceasefire as a “pause,” while US forces remain prepared to resume combat.
