‘No expansion in our objectives’: US defence chief says Washington ‘knows exactly what it wants’ in Iran

‘No expansion in our objectives’: US defence secretary on Iran war

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that Washington is not expanding its military objectives in Iran, even as the United States intensifies strikes against Iranian targets and speculation grows about possible political change in Tehran.

Speaking at the headquarters of US Central Command, Hegseth said the military campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, remains focused on specific strategic goals rather than widening into a broader conflict.

"There's no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we're trying to achieve," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon says the operation is aimed at dismantling Iran’s offensive military capabilities and preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to US officials, the campaign targets Iranian missile systems, missile production facilities, and naval assets.

Hegseth said Washington is gradually strengthening its military presence in the region while maintaining the same core mission.

"When we say more to come, it's more fighter squadrons, it's more capabilities, it's more defensive capabilities," he said. "And it's more bomber pulses more frequently."

US ‘setting the tempo’ of the war

The defense secretary said the United States remains firmly in control of the pace of the conflict. "We set the tempo," Hegseth said. "We set the timeline led by the commander on the ground." He also said the US military has sufficient resources to sustain the campaign. "Our munitions are full up and our will is ironclad," Hegseth said. "We have only just begun to fight and fight decisively."

More than 2,000 targets hit

US forces have struck more than 2,000 targets in Iran over the past six days, including Iranian naval vessels, according to officials. Hegseth had earlier indicated the conflict could last as long as eight weeks, the longest timeline outlined by the Trump administration so far. His remarks come after President Donald Trump suggested the United States would play a role in shaping Iran’s leadership after the war.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Trump said Washington would likely need to help decide who leads Iran once the conflict ends. Hegseth echoed that view, saying: "President Trump is having a heck of a say in who runs Iran given the ongoing operation." He added that the military campaign could create opportunities for political change within Iran. "No one's done more than President Trump to reopen the opportunity for those who want a free Iran to do so," Hegseth said.