Pete Hegseth Asked Why US Helping Israel If They Are Pursuing Their Own Objectives

A reporter asked Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Thursday why the U.S. was helping Israel wage war against Iran when they are pursuing their own objectives.

President Donald Trump said that Israel struck South Pars Gas Field in Iran Wednesday without the U.S.’ knowledge, though he warned the U.S. will completely obliterate the facility if Iran continued attacking Qatar. In response to why the U.S. was helping Israel, Hegseth said the U.S. has its own objectives and that the military “controls the fate” of Iran.

“So with the strike yesterday on South Bar’s gas field, you know, if the U.S. didn’t know about it or didn’t approve of it, it kind of seems like a trend of Israel apparently pursuing their own objectives over U.S. objectives,” The Gateway Pundit’s Jordan Conradson said. “I’m not sure if you agree with that, but the president has said he doesn’t wanna hit Iran’s oil infrastructure right now. As you said, the U.S. avoided this on Park Island. Oil’s nearing $120. Why are we helping Israel prosecute this war if they’re gonna pursue their own objectives?”

“We hold the cards. We have objectives,” Hegseth replied. “Those objectives are clear. We have allies pursuing objectives as well. And the truth speaks for itself. I mean, President Trump was very clear about that. Iran has weaponized energy for decades. Israel clearly sent a warning. And POTUS has made it clear, very clear. Iran knows when you hit Kharg Island and you hit military capabilities on Kharg Island, which is the only thing we hit, we can hold anything at issue, anything. The United States military controls the fate of that country.” 

WATCH: 

Trump said that Iran “unjustifiably” attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG gas facility, and that Israel will not attack Iran’s oil anymore as long as there were no more Iranian strikes on Qatar. Hegseth reiterated this claim during the briefing, saying that Iran should not target any Arab countries in an attempt to “create pain.”

Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Joe Kent, who resigned from the administration on Tuesday, said that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the U.S. because Israeli officials were about to target Iran. Administration officials have yet to specify the imminent threat that Iran allegedly posed against the U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in early March that the administration knew the Israelis were going to attack Iran, which he said in turn would cause Iran to take action against American forces.