Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared Wednesday that U.S. forces had delivered a devastating blow to Iran, describing the campaign as a decisive military triumph that left Tehran’s armed forces severely crippled.
Speaking at a morning press conference broadcast shortly after a ceasefire agreement was reached, Hegseth said, “Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield. A capital V military victory.”
He added, “By any measure, Epic Fury decimated Iran’s military and rendered it combat ineffective for years to come.”
Joined by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hegseth portrayed the operation as the culmination of years of conflict with Iran, accusing the regime of long-standing aggression against the United States.
He said Iran had been “chanting death to America, targeting our people, killing Americans,” while pursuing nuclear capabilities through “blackmailing their way toward a nuclear weapon.”
Hegseth credited President Donald Trump for taking action where previous presidents had failed.
“Other presidents marked time and kicked the can down the road,” Hegseth said. “President Trump made history… No other president has shown the courage and resolve of this commander in chief.”
According to Hegseth, the United States and its allies dismantled Iran’s military infrastructure in under 40 days while using only a small portion, “less than 10%” of America’s available combat strength.
“We untied just a fraction of our strength, and Iran suffered a devastating military defeat,” he said. “Together with our Israeli partners, America’s military achieved every single objective on plan, on schedule, exactly as laid out from day one.”
He detailed widespread destruction across Iran’s military forces, claiming much of the country’s naval and air assets had been eliminated.
“Iran’s Navy is at the bottom of the sea, their frigate class, their prized drone aircraft carriers, submarines, minelayers sunk,” Hegseth said. “Iran’s air force has been wiped out. We own their skies. Their missile program is functionally destroyed.”
Hegseth also said hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones launched during the conflict failed to strike U.S. positions.
“They were obsessed with it, and they never got even close,” he said. “Every single one of those shots easily shot down miles and miles away [while] they were blowing ammo into fantasyland.”
He further claimed that a final barrage of more than 800 strikes obliterated Iran’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
“What little they have left buried in bunkers is all they will have,” Hegseth said. “They can no longer build missiles, build rockets, build launchers, or build UAVs. Their factories have been razed to the ground.”
According to Hegseth, mounting military pressure forced Iran to accept ceasefire terms, with the threat of attacks on critical infrastructure looming if Tehran refused.
“Had Iran refused our terms, the next targets would have been their power plants, their bridges and oil and energy infrastructure,” he said. “President Trump had the power to cripple Iran’s entire economy in minutes, but he chose mercy.”
He also said senior Iranian leadership figures had been eliminated during the campaign.
“This new regime was out of options and out of time. So they cut a deal,” Hegseth said.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hegseth stated, Iran will be barred permanently from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“The president has been clear from the beginning. There will be no Iranian nuclear weapons, period, full stop,” Hegseth said. “Other presidents said it. President Trump did it.”
Hegseth highlighted U.S. military operations carried out during the conflict, including a lengthy mission to recover downed American pilots.
Looking ahead, Hegseth said the U.S. military remains prepared to ensure Iran complies with the ceasefire agreement.
“The War Department, for now, has done its part,” he said. “We stand ready in the background to ensure Iran upholds every reasonable term.”
He concluded by praising the service members involved in the operation.
“To the warriors of Epic Fury, I say, well done,” Hegseth said. “Your skill, your bravery, and sheer guts and grit showed the world what America is all about.”
