US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared that there is no specific timeline for the ongoing US-Israeli military operations against Iran, which have been continuing for three weeks. This announcement comes in the wake of a request for an additional $200 billion to fund the war. Hegseth emphasized that President Donald Trump will ultimately decide when the operations in Iran will come to a close, asserting that the situation is progressing well and that they have achieved their operational goals thus far.

In a response to domestic dissent regarding the war, Hegseth stressed that much of the media is attempting to mislead the American public into believing that the military actions could lead to a quagmire. He highlighted the resolve of US forces and their commitment to completing their mission in Iran, arguing that the sacrifices made by American soldiers have only strengthened their dedication to the campaign. The Pentagon maintains that the focus remains on their strategic objectives in the region.

Regarding the impact of military strikes, Hegseth reported significant achievements, mentioning that US-Israeli forces had targeted over 7,000 sites in Iran, emphasizing the vast scope of the country and the resources it has committed to manufacturing missiles and drones. He noted that Iranian attacks on US forces had dropped by 90%, claiming damage to more than 120 Iranian ships, which he described as evidence of their overwhelming power in the conflict.