‘This Is War’: Pete Hegseth Says US Will Force Iran ‘To Its Knees’

The United States has outlined its stance on the escalating conflict in West Asia, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasising the scale of American military strength and its objectives in the region as tensions with Iran continue to intensify.

Speaking in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS, Hegseth addressed the strategy behind the US military’s actions and discussed what he described as the growing challenge posed by Iran.

Referring to the campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, he framed the conflict in stark terms.

Hegseth also stressed that the imbalance in capabilities between the United States and Iran was deliberate.

Why Does the US Believe It Holds an Overwhelming Military Advantage Over Iran?

According to him, the technological and operational strength of the US military provides a decisive advantage.

"We can be clear with the American people that this is not a fair fight - and that's on purpose. Our capabilities are overwhelming compared to what Iran's are," he added.

He further criticised Iran's missile development and production capacity, suggesting it has been used as a protective shield for broader strategic ambitions.

"They've used a conventional umbrella of missiles that was growing every single day, their production capacity, to try to cover over their nuclear blackmail ambitions. We'll make sure that their nuclear ambitions are never achieved."

The remarks highlight Washington’s continued focus on preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons capabilities.

Why Does the US See Iran’s Nuclear Programme As A Major Security Threat?

The United States has long maintained that Iran’s nuclear programme poses a major security threat to the region and the wider international community.

Addressing the idea of what he described as Iran’s potential "unconditional surrender", Hegseth framed the conflict as one in which the United States intends to dictate the eventual outcome.

"It means we're fighting to win. It means we set the terms. There'll be a point where they'll have no choice but to do that, whether they know it or not," he said.

The developments come as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran entered its second week.

Meanwhile, authorities in Bahrain reported casualties following what they described as an Iranian drone attack in the Sitra area, located south of the capital Manama.

What Happened In Bahrain After The Reported Iran Drone Attack In Sitra?

According to the state news agency of Bahrain, four individuals among the casualties are in critical condition, including children who require surgery.

These details regarding the medical status of the victims were confirmed following the incident in Sitra, according to reports by Al Jazeera citing the country's Ministry of Health.

Authorities said the injuries were caused by an Iranian drone strike in the affected region. Expanding on the scope of the incident, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior on Sunday claimed that Iran attacked civilian targets in a water desalination plant.

In a post on X, the ministry stated, "Iranian aggression indiscriminately attacked civilian targets and caused material damage to a water desalination plant following a drone attack."

Amid the escalating conflict, political developments also unfolded in Iran.

Celebrations erupted across the country as hundreds of people took to the streets after Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was announced as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, according to Press TV.

His selection saw support pour in from various segments of Iran, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the General Staff of the Armed Forces pledging their backing.

People gathered on the streets in large numbers after Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader of the Islamic Republic.

How Is The West Asia Conflict Impacting Global Oil Prices?

The geopolitical tensions have also affected global energy markets. With oil prices surging due to the escalating conflict in West Asia, Donald Trump said the "short-term" spike was worth the cost if it eliminated Tehran's nuclear threat.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President argued that oil prices would "drop rapidly" once Iran's nuclear capabilities are destroyed, adding that "only fools would think differently".

"Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!" he wrote.

(With inputs from ANI)