Hegseth declares decisive US military success against Iran

April 08, 2026 / 5:06 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the United States had achieved a decisive military victory over Iran, adding that Tehran’s missile programme had been effectively destroyed.

Hegseth, alongside General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed reporters a day after President Donald Trump stepped back from a planned full-scale assault on Iran, just hours before a deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Caine stated that US military objectives in Iran had been met, but described the current ceasefire as a temporary pause, noting that forces remain prepared to resume operations if necessary.

Hegseth added that US forces would remain in the Middle East during the two-week ceasefire to ensure Iran’s compliance and to monitor its enriched uranium stockpile. “We’re watching it closely. We know what they have, and they will give it up—we’ll take it if we have to,” he said.