Hegseth touts ‘overwhelming victory’ in Iran as military takes backseat during ceasefire

War Secretary Pete Hegseth touted the military’s destruction of Iran’s fighting forces, arsenals, and defense industrial base hours after the fragile ceasefire between the two countries began.

“The War Department, for now, for now, has done its part. We stand ready in the background to ensure Iran upholds every reasonable term,” he said. “To the warriors of [Operation] Epic Fury, I say, ‘Well done.’ You’re the backbone of our country. Your skill, your bravery, and sheer guts and grit showed the world what America is all about. I’m proud of you. We’re proud of you, the president is proud of you. Job well done.”

Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Wednesday briefing at the Pentagon was the first since the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire agreement, which went into effect on Tuesday night, about an hour and a half before President