U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel: Trump's "Epic Fury" Will Force Iran to Unconditionally Surrender

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave an interview to CBS, explaining the U.S.-Israel coalition’s Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. military has already attacked over 3,000 targets inside Iran, following Trump’s plan entirely. The ultimate goal is to completely dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and force Iran to surrender unconditionally.

Hegseth: U.S.-Israel Coalition Fully Controls Airspace

Regarding concerns about whether the military operations are nearing their end, Hegseth clearly stated that the U.S. will not follow the past practice of President Bush hanging a “Mission Accomplished” banner on an aircraft carrier. He stressed that after the U.S. Air Force and Israeli Defense Forces merged their strengths, they formed the world’s most powerful air military force. The U.S.-Israel coalition now fully controls Iran’s airspace, capable of routinely using 500-pound to 2,000-pound gravity bombs for precise strikes on military facilities. Hegseth pointed out that the current actions are just the beginning of demonstrating the U.S. military’s mission achievement, and the U.S. will maintain dominance until Iran completely loses its ability to retaliate.

Trump’s Objective: Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Iran Unconditionally Surrenders

Hegseth explained on 60 Minutes that Trump’s goal of forcing Iran to surrender unconditionally means giving Iran no room for negotiation. He believes that whether Iran accepts or not, as long as Iran’s fighting capability is destroyed, it will effectively surrender. Regarding Iran’s remaining nuclear infrastructure and high-enriched uranium threats, Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. stance, emphasizing that they will ensure Iran’s nuclear weapons can never be used. For national security reasons, he refused to disclose whether troops will be directly sent to extract nuclear materials, stating that any actions will not be revealed by him or Trump but that multiple measures will be employed to counter Iran’s expanding nuclear military capabilities.

Regarding intelligence sharing and external interference, Hegseth confirmed that key intelligence provided by Israel played an important role in targeting Iran’s core leadership, with all information verified by the CIA. He stated that U.S. intelligence agencies possess top-tier global surveillance capabilities, able to accurately monitor communications worldwide. He mentioned that Trump and various world leaders have unique communication channels, allowing direct or indirect dialogue to reduce potential risks and prevent improper intelligence exchanges. When asked about rumors of Russia providing Iran with intelligence, Hegseth showed a tough stance, saying the U.S. military will take necessary measures to mitigate risks.

In response to controversies over U.S. casualties and civilian injuries, Hegseth admitted that casualties are inevitable in conflict but only strengthen the U.S. military’s resolve to win. He strongly denied accusations that U.S. forces deliberately targeted civilian facilities, emphasizing that investigations into such incidents are ongoing.

Regarding rumors that Middle Eastern allies’ interceptor stockpiles are running low, Hegseth stated that U.S. military ammunition reserves are sufficient, and missile threats in the region have significantly decreased. The U.S. has the capacity to support allies with supplies. When asked about the blockage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and oil price fluctuations, he pointed out that the Iranian navy has essentially lost its combat effectiveness. With more ships sunk, the U.S. can ensure the safety of shipping lanes and economic interests.

This article, “U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth: Trump Launches ‘Epic Fury’ to Force Iran Unconditional Surrender,” first appeared on ABMedia.