Washington: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on Tuesday that the upcoming days in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran will be "decisive," emphasizing that the United States is keeping all military options open amid growing speculation about the possibility of deploying "boots on the ground" in Iran. During a press conference at the Pentagon, held alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth cautioned that if Iran fails to reach an agreement with the U.S. to end the conflict, the military operations will continue with increased intensity.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth stressed that the Trump administration is maintaining all options on the table as it increases pressure on Tehran to agree to a peace deal, amid concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on oil prices and inflation. "We are not going to foreclose any option," he asserted, highlighting the strategic importance of not revealing military plans to the adversary, including the possibility of ground operations.
Hegseth's remarks come at a time when the Pentagon has deployed thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, with officials describing it as a move to provide the president "maximum optionality." This has fueled speculation about potential ground operations in Iran, with Hegseth mentioning that the U.S. has "15 different ways" to deploy ground forces in Iran, though he did not provide further details.
Reflecting on lessons learned from past conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth assured that President Trump would not repeat past mistakes. He also commented on the timeline for achieving U.S. objectives in the conflict with Iran, stating that the U.S. is "well on our way" and that while the timeframe remains flexible, the specific details would not be disclosed to maintain strategic advantage.
Hegseth further emphasized the importance of international cooperation in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy imports, noting that it is not solely a U.S. responsibility. "We've been willing to lead. President Trump led the entire time, but it's not just us," he concluded.