Pete Hegseth

Wounded US soldiers accuse Pentagon of downplaying injuries - report

The Army has strongly disputed this claim, telling CBS that military designations, including “not seriously injured” and “combat casualty,” have specific definitions that have been misconstrued. 

A satellite view shows the Ali Al Salem Base, after Iranian strikes, near Al Jahra, Kuwait, March 1, 2026.
US President Donald Trump participates in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 24, 2026.

Trump to meet munitions makers amid push to replenish weapons stockpiles

 U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gesture as they pose for a photo, at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13, 2025.

'Maybe on the Iran side': Trump reveals Turkey's Erdogan stayed out of Iran war at his request

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks next to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani during a quadrilateral meeting between the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar, June 21, 2026.

From Trump’s strength to Vance’s retreat: Regime change is the only path to peace - opinion


Iran continuing to lay mines in Strait of Hormuz, US official says

In response to Iran placing mines around the Strait, which experts believe are fewer than 100, US President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill any boat" suspected of doing so.

Drone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at one of Iraq's southern offshore oil terminals near Basra as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 24, 2026

Pentagon chief Hegseth says US blockade on Iran 'going global'

Hegseth added that Tehran had a chance to make a "good deal" with Washington.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a briefing on the Iran war, amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US, April 24, 2026.

US Navy Secretary John Phelan fired amid Pentagon shakeup

The Pentagon announced his departure in a brief statement, saying he was leaving the administration "effective immediately." But it did not provide a reason or say whether it was his decision to go.

John Phelan, United States Secretary of the Navy, looks on before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Landover Maryland.

Senator Lindsey Graham speaks to Trump, Hegseth on 'way forward' in Iran conflict

The South Carolina Republican described the discussion's focus as "the way forward regarding the Iran conflict," while also warning countries against assisting Iran's oil distribution efforts.

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the Chairman of the Senate Budget Commission speaks during a Senate Committee on the Budget hearing to examine the President's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal in Capitol Hill on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Pete Hegseth compares media to Pharisees, ancient Jewish sect derided by Christians

Hegseth's comments follow a similar incident in 2019, when then-Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg compared Mike Pence to the Pharisees.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026.

US ready to restart Iran war if no deal reached, Hegseth warns

Hegseth stated that he had a message for the Iranian leadership: "We are watching you. Your capabilities are not the same as ours. Remember, this is not a fair fight."

Reporters raise their hands to ask questions during a briefing on the Iran war with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine (not pictured), at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US, April 16, 2026.

As Trump claims victory, Iran emerges bruised but powerful with leverage over Hormuz - analysis

"This war will be remembered as Trump's grave strategic miscalculation. One whose consequences reshaped the region in unintended ways," Middle East scholar Fawaz Gerges told Reuters.

AN IRANIAN flag flutters in the breeze

The 'final blow' doctrine: How Trump is rewriting the rules of American power - analysis

How Hegseth, Rubio, and Waltz used the Iran conflict to rewrite America’s rules of war – and why Israel sits at the center of the new model

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth talks about the war in Iran as President Donald Trump hosts the swearing-in ceremony for US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin (R) in the Oval Office at the White House on March 2.

Hegseth: US achieved 'decisive victory' in Iran, claims Mojtaba Khamenei disfigured

"We hope and believe the ceasefire will hold," said Hegseth, who also thanked Israel for being a "brave, capable, and willing ally on this battlefield." 

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) listens as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 08, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.

Trump says Iran can be taken out in one night, reveals details on fighter pilots' rescue mission

Trump has threatened to rain "hell" on Tehran if it did not make a deal by the end of Tuesday that would allow traffic to start moving again through the vital route for global energy supplies.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks on, as they hold a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 6, 2026.