Iran begged for ceasefire, we own their skies – U.S. Defense Secretary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared a “historic victory” over Iran on Wednesday, claiming that 800 overnight strikes under “Operation Epic Fury” functionally destroyed Tehran’s defense industrial base and forced the country to “beg” for a ceasefire.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a triumphant assessment of the conflict with Iran during a Wednesday morning press conference, asserting that the Islamic Republic was forced to “beg” for a ceasefire following a devastating wave of American air strikes. Hegseth credited President Donald Trump’s “courage and resolve” for orchestrating a diplomatic off-ramp just hours before a deadline that threatened the destruction of Iranian civilization. According to the Defense Secretary, the U.S. military carried out more than 800 strikes on Tuesday night alone, an operation he claimed has left Iran’s defense industrial base in ruins and its military capabilities effectively neutralized. “No other president has shown the courage and resolve of this commander-in-chief,” Hegseth told reporters. “President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it.”

The Pentagon chief provided a grim inventory of the damage, claiming that Iran’s missile program has been “functionally destroyed” and its navy now sits “at the bottom of the sea.” He further asserted that the Iranian Air Force has been “wiped out,” allowing the United States total air superiority over the country. Hegseth emphasized that the primary objective of the overnight bombardment—the dismantling of Iran’s ability to manufacture and launch advanced weaponry—had been fully achieved. “They can no longer build rockets, build launchers or build UAVs. Their factories have been razed to the ground. Set back in historic fashion,” Hegseth said, adding a warning that U.S. forces now “own their skies.”

While the two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan has halted immediate hostilities, Hegseth made it clear that the Pentagon remains prepared to escalate if Tehran fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, particularly the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He revealed that had Iran declined the deal, the U.S. military’s next targets “would have been their power plants, their bridges and oil and energy infrastructure.” Despite the bellicose rhetoric, the ceasefire has brought a tentative pause to nearly 40 days of intense conflict. Hegseth’s claims of a total military victory have not yet been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have characterized the ceasefire more as a strategic decision based on a 10-point peace proposal they submitted to Washington.

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