Pete Hegseth

Conditions aboard USS Lincoln 'exacerbated by decision to start Iran war,' senators tell Hegseth

Criticizing Hegseth and US President Donald Trump for dismissing the reports, the senators argued that the situation on Lincoln was "preventable" and similar to issues USS Gerald R. Ford faced.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts US blockade operations related to the Strait of Hormuz on April 16, 2026.
US President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence on August 14, 2026 in Garden City, New York.

Trump, Hegseth deny concerns of poor conditions, low morale reported aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

US President Donald Trump that the over-260-day deployment was “not nearly long enough” when asked by reporters if he believed the deployment had gone on too long. 

|ByGOLDIE KATZ
An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted drone aircraft performs aerial maneuvers over Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, US, June 25, 2015.

US lost 45 Reaper drones in Iran war, raising supply concerns for future hostilities - report

In May, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told the House Armed Services committee that during the war, the Reaper was "perhaps the most valuable player."

|ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

CENTCOM refutes reports of sailors jumping from USS Lincoln as conditions aboard face scrutiny

Hegseth also rejected the claims, saying that the reports about Lincoln's conditions are "misrepresented." US Navy confirmed that a sailor went overboard; the circumstances are under investigation.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM, ESTHER DAVIS

Iran not more formidable than expected, top general says as US gears for intense fighting

Caine told reporters that the United States was carrying out strikes against Iranian mine-laying vessels

MARCH 10, 2026ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Democratic US senators demand immediate hearings on Iran war

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey told reporters that the senior Democrats on the Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees have made the requests to Republican chairmen.

MARCH 10, 2026ByREUTERS
US SEN. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks to the media after hearing Congressional briefings on Iran at the US Capitol on March 3, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Iranian school hit by Tomahawk missile implicating US in strike, video footage shows - report

The United States is the only military currently taking part in the Iran war to have Tomahawks in its arsenal, which would rule out an Israeli strike or Iranian misfire, if the footage is accurate.

MARCH 9, 2026ByJAMES GENN
FILE PHOTO: People and rescue forces work following an Israel strike on a school in Minab, Iran, February 28, 2026.

One person killed in central Israel, tensions continue to rise

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

MARCH 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
A construction site in central Israel that was hit by a missile from Iran, March 9, 2026.

Pete Hegseth just became Israel’s latest war-celebrity obsession

Until February 28, most Israelis had barely heard of him. Ten days later, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is one of the most prominent figures on Hebrew media, Instagram, and X.

MARCH 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth takes questions during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

Operation Epic Fury is 'only just beginning,' Iran will surrender, Hegseth says

“The Iranian Navy is largely no more. So their ability to project any power in that area in a naval sense is diminishing and will be increasingly diminished,” Hegseth said.

MARCH 9, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, US, December 6, 2025.

Trump urges Iranian diplomats to seek asylum, vows total defeat of regime

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper also gave a press conference at CENTCOM HQ, Florida, addressing the ongoing operation against Iran.

MARCH 5, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi gestures on the day US President Donald Trump honors reigning Major League Soccer (MLS) champion Inter Miami CF players and team officials with an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 5, 2026.

Hegseth to Katz: Continue against Iran to the end, we are with you

The defense minister told the defense secretary he appreciated the unprecedented coordination between the sides.

MARCH 5, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described Israel as a true ally during a press conference at the Pentagon on March 2, in Arlington, Virginia.

Trump and Hegseth on Eretz Nehederet’s Purim show promote 'Epic Fury, Revenge of Trump!'

For the first time in memory, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared on the Israeli sketch comedy to promote Operation Epic Fury as a movie.

MARCH 5, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Eretz Nehederet, March 4, 2026

US launches Precision Strike Missile for first time ever in combat situation during Iran operation

Additionally, CENTCOM announced that over 20 Iranian navy vessels have been struck or sunk as part of Operation Epic Fury, including a Soleimani-class vessel.

MARCH 4, 2026ByJAMES GENN
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 3, 2026.