President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a surprise visit Saturday to meet with U.S. troops in U.S. Central Command.
Hegseth described meeting with U.S. service members, including pilots carrying out strikes on Iran.
"I witnessed warriors, a brotherhood of men and women, warriors all active duty, Guard and Reserve, united in their love for each other, their shared purpose and their commitment to the mission," Hegseth said.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, March 31, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
"I spoke to all ranks and all services, none of whom knew we were coming. It was not rehearsed or scripted," Hegseth said.
Mar 31, 2026, 8:25 AM EDT
'If Iran is wise, they will cut a deal,' Hegseth says
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Iran it should cut a deal during a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday.
"If Iran is wise, they will cut a deal. President [Donald] Trump doesn't bluff and he does not back down. You can ask Khamenei about that," Hegseth said.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, March 31, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
"President Trump will make a deal he is willing, and the terms of the deal are known to them. If Iran is not willing, then the United States War Department will continue with even more intensity," Hegseth said.
Mar 31, 2026, 8:22 AM EDT
'Lowest number of enemy missiles and drones' fired by Iran in last 24 hours
Iran fired the "lowest number of enemy missiles and drones" in the last 24 hours as the U.S. and Israel continue to degrade its capabilities, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday.
"They will go underground, but we will find them. We recently destroyed another one of their command bunkers. Leaders forced to flee, no water, no power, no oxygen, no command and control. Their faith in their caves diminishing," Hegseth said.
"The latest Intel is clear out of CENTCOM. Our strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian military, leading to widespread desertions key personnel shortages, and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders," Hegseth said.
Mar 31, 2026, 8:16 AM EDT
Trump tells countries to ‘take’ oil from Strait of Hormuz, says US won’t help
Amid continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump posted to social media on Tuesday telling other countries to either purchase U.S. oil or “build up some delayed courage” and “just TAKE IT” from the Strait.
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on March 29, 2026.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
“I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote on his social media platform. “Go get your own oil!”
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” he added, echoing his past rhetoric where he has claimed that U.S. contributions to NATO have not been reciprocated.
In the social media post, Trump claimed that Iran had been “essentially, decimated.” In a second post, he said Iran had been “successfully eliminated.”
The president named the U.K. in his first post, whose leaders he has frequently criticized for their refusal to heed his calls for help. In his second post, he called France “VERY UNHELPFUL” for allegedly preventing planes with military supplies from flying over France en route to Israel.
