US Defense Secretary Claims Iran 'Begged' for Ceasefire to End Trump's Onslaught
In a bold statement during a Wednesday morning press conference, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Iran had "begged" for a ceasefire deal to halt the relentless military threats and actions from President Donald Trump. Hegseth emphasized that this agreement came just ahead of a critical deadline set by the Trump administration, portraying it as a decisive victory for US foreign policy.
Trump's Leadership and Iran's Desperation
Hegseth praised President Trump's resolve, stating, "No other president has shown the courage and resolve of this commander-in-chief. President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it." He argued that Iran's leadership, under new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, recognized that accepting the deal was far preferable to facing further devastating US strikes.
Destruction of Iran's Military Capabilities
The Defense Secretary detailed extensive damage inflicted on Iran's armed forces, claiming:
- Iran's missile program has been "functionally destroyed."
- Its navy is "at the bottom of the sea."
- The air force has been "wiped out," with the US now controlling their skies.
Hegseth revealed that over 800 US strikes on Tuesday night alone had "completely" obliterated Iran's defense industrial base. He asserted, "They can no longer build rockets, build launchers or build UAVs. Their factories have been razed to the ground. Set back in historic fashion."
Threat of Further Escalation
Had Iran rejected the two-week ceasefire offer, Hegseth warned that the US military was prepared to target critical infrastructure, including:
- Power plants
- Bridges
- Oil and energy facilities
He described these as "targets they could not defend, and could not realistically rebuild," noting that reconstruction would have taken decades. "We were locked and loaded. They couldn't defend against it," he added, underscoring the overwhelming US military advantage.
Iran's Leadership and Nuclear Agreement
Hegseth claimed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and disfigured," suggesting the regime is in a weakened state. He stated, "This new regime is out of options and out of time, so they cut a deal." The agreement, according to Hegseth, ensures Iran will never possess nuclear weapons, with any prohibited nuclear materials to be removed under strict terms.
He also emphasized ongoing US vigilance, saying, "We will be hanging around. Not going anywhere," indicating continued military presence and monitoring in the region.
Trump's Social Media Comments
Prior to Hegseth's press conference, President Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, expressing optimism about future cooperation. He wrote that the US would "work closely with Iran," highlighted a "very productive" regime change, and confirmed there would be "no enrichment or Uranium" under the new arrangement, reinforcing the non-proliferation aspects of the deal.
