WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congressional Democrats air their concerns about a prolonged war in Iran, Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday will be the most intense strikes on Iran.
Tuesday marks ten days since the US and Israeli forces launched an initial strike on Iran. Secretary Hegseth said they remain focused on achieving their objectives on their timeline.
“Today will be the most intense strikes on Iran,” said the Secretary during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Questions surround the timeline and expectations of how long US forces will continue.
“Where we are is in a very strong place giving the President maximum options and from the beginning, we haven’t stated how long it will take,” said the Secretary. “Our will is endless. Ultimately the President will determine the end state objectives.”
The Secretary has previously said operations could last anywhere from two to six weeks and said Iran will not be another endless war, referring to Iraq and Afghanistan. In a CBS 60 Minutes interview over the weekend, the Secretary said “this is only the beginning”. Recently, the President said the war is “very complete”. He was asked on Monday about the contradicting messages:
“Well, I think you could say both,” responded the President.
The President threatened more “fury” to achieve their goals and called it a short excursion.
Senators on the Armed Services Committee were given a classified briefing on the military operations in Iran. Democrats are airing their concerns about the cost of the war and putting US service members in harm’s way.
“I am most concerned about the threat to american lives of potentially deploying our sons and daughters on the ground in Iran,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D- CT). “We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran.”
The White House is not ruling out putting boots on the ground in Iran.
