Hegseth Vows To Go ‘As Far As We Need To,’ Does Not Rule Out Boots On Ground In Iran

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated on Monday that the administration will take any action it deems necessary and did not rule out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.

The U.S. military launched Operation Epic Fury early Saturday morning to target the Islamic Republic of Iran and its nuclear program. Hegseth said during the Pentagon’s joint press conference with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) that the military will go as far as they need to advance American interests.

“First, are there currently any American boots on the ground in Iran?” a reporter asked. 

“No, but we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do,” Hegseth said. “I think it’s one of those fallacies for a long time that this department or presidents or others should tell the American people this and our enemies, by the way, here’s exactly what we’lldo. Here’s exactly how long we’ll go. Here’s exactly how far we’ll go. Here’s what we’rewilling to do and not do. It’s foolishness. And so President Trump ensures that our enemiesunderstand we’ll go as far as we need to go to advanced American interests. But we’re not dumbabout it.” 

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Hegseth added that the military will “unapologetically” fight against its enemies to “win” and achieve the objectives laid out by President Donald Trump.

“You don’t have to roll two hundred thousand people in there and stay for 20 years,” Hegseth continued.