As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to defeat Iran’s ruling regime.
According to the New York Post, while speaking in an interview that aired Sunday on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Hegseth told correspondent Major Garrett that all options remain on the table as Operation Epic Fury continues.
“We’re willing to go as far as we need in order to be successful,” Hegseth said during the interview.
He emphasized that military planners are not ruling out the possibility of deploying American troops on the ground in Iran if it becomes necessary.
“We reserve the right. We would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option, whether it included boots on the ground or not boots on the ground.”
The comments echo remarks previously made by President Donald Trump, who told the Post last week that sending U.S. forces into Iran remains a possibility if the situation demands it.
Hegseth also made clear that the administration would not publicly reveal operational details about potential military decisions.
“People ask, ‘boots on the ground, no boots on the ground, four weeks, two weeks, six weeks? Go in, go in,’” he said.
“President Trump knows – I know – you don’t tell the enemy, you don’t tell the press, you don’t tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation.”
The ongoing conflict has already resulted in American casualties.
Iranian retaliatory drone strikes killed seven U.S. service members in recent days. Six Army Reservists died in Kuwait, while another service member later died from injuries sustained in Saudi Arabia.
Hegseth acknowledged the growing human cost of the conflict during the interview.
“The president’s been right to say there will be casualties,” he said.
“Things like this don’t happen without casualties. There will be more casualties … especially our generation knows what it’s like to see Americans come home in caskets. But that doesn’t weaken us one bit. It stiffens our spine and our resolve to say this is a fight we will finish.”
The six Army Reservists killed in Kuwait were identified as Nicole Amor, 39; Cody Khork, 35; Declan Coady, 20; Robert Marzan, 54; Jeffrey O’Brien, 45; and Noah Tietjens, 42.
Their remains were returned to the United States on Saturday during a solemn transfer ceremony.
Officials announced Sunday that a seventh service member had died from wounds sustained in the attacks, though that individual has not yet been publicly identified.
The announcement followed another tragic development involving a member of the National Guard.
NYPD officer and Army veteran Sorffly Davius died during a health crisis while deployed in Kuwait with the National Guard.
As military operations continue, U.S. officials have indicated the campaign against Iran could expand depending on how the situation unfolds.
