WASHINGTON: The next few days in the Middle East conflict will be decisive, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing on Tuesday, saying there had been major desertions from the Iranian armed forces.
“We have more and more options, and they have less ... in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive,” Hegseth said. “Iran knows that, and there’s almost nothing they can militarily do about it.”
Hegseth, citing intelligence, said the strikes were damaging the morale of the Iranian military. This, he said, was triggering widespread desertions, key personnel shortages and causing frustration among senior leaders.
Hegseth also said he had visited troops in the Middle East on Saturday to witness the military operation against Iran.
“We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day. For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named,” Hegseth said, referring to the US command responsible for the region.
“Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America,” he said.
Asked about concerns among some of President Donald Trump’s base about the possible use of ground troops in Iran, Hegseth declined to tip his hand.
“You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground,” he said.
“If we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department. Or maybe we don’t have to use them at all -- maybe negotiations work,” Hegseth said.
The Pentagon chief said talks on ending the war were making progress even as the more than month-long US-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Republic continued.
“They are very real. They are ongoing, they are active, and I think, gaining strength,” Hegseth said of the negotiations.
Hegseth also said that US is well aware of what China and Russia are doing to help Iran and are confronting those efforts where necessary.
Asked about reports of Russia and China aiding Iran, Hegseth said: “As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they’re doing, what they are or are not doing.”
“We don’t have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we’re addressing it, we’re mitigating it or we’re confronting it head on.”
* With AFP, Reuters and AP
