U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the United States did not initiate the ongoing conflict, as he disclosed Iran’s intentions to develop a “missile shield” to safeguard its nuclear goals.

“We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are determined to end it,” Hegseth stated during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday.

He cautioned that “war is hell and it always will be,” following the confirmation of a fourth U.S. soldier’s death due to Iranian missile attacks on a base in Kuwait.

Hegseth outlined that Iran is constructing advanced missiles and drones to establish a conventional defense for their nuclear extortion plans.

He pledged that the United States is committed to dismantling the Islamic regime’s ambitions. “We will finish this,” he declared emphatically.

“If you kill Americans, if you pose a threat to Americans anywhere in the world, we will pursue you relentlessly and without remorse, and we will eliminate you,” Hegseth warned.

Hegseth also outlined the war goal of the mission in Iran, which did not include regime change: ‘This operation is a clear, devastating decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat. Destroy the Navy. No nukes.’

‘Know this above all, President Trump and I have your back always through fire, through criticism, through fake news, through everything we unleash you because you are the best, most powerful, most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen,’ Hegseth concluded. 

Hegseth claimed that America ‘didn’t start this war’ as he revealed Iran’s plans to build a ‘missile shield’ to protect its nuclear ambitions

Hegseth also outlined the war goal of the mission in Iran, which did not include regime change

Hegseth explained that ‘Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions’

Following the secretary’s remarks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine said, ‘On Friday, February 27 the United States Central Command, through the Secretary of War, received the final go order from President Trump. The President directed and I quote, “Operation epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck.”‘

Prior to Hegseth’s remarks, the Pentagon announced more US troops have been killed in the Middle East as a result of Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a conflict the President warns could drag on for weeks.

Hegseth noted at the press conference that hundreds of ballistic missiles were fired toward troops in the region and intercepted by US forces.

The Pentagon said Monday morning that the death toll among American service members has risen to four. Just a day earlier, the administration confirmed that three U.S. troops had been killed in fighting with Iranian forces.

‘The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,’ US Central Command announced on X.

When asked how the US troops were killed by Iranian forces, Hegeseth revealed it occurred at a ‘tactical center’ from an Iranian aerial attack. 

Hegseth noted at the press conference that hundreds of ballistic missiles were fired toward troops in the region and intercepted by US forces

The rising death toll comes after Trump told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview over the phone on Sunday that fighting with Iran could go on for the next four weeks

‘Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.’

The rising death toll comes after Trump told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview over the phone on Sunday that fighting with Iran could go on for the next four weeks.

‘It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so – as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less,’ Trump said.