Next days in Middle East will be ‘decisive,’ says US Def Sec Pete Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the coming days in the Middle East conflict with Iran could be “decisive,” as strikes on Iranian forces continue to take a toll on morale and trigger major desertions.

Speaking at his first briefing in nearly two weeks, Hegseth cited intelligence indicating widespread personnel shortages and growing frustration among Iran’s senior military leaders.

“We have more and more options, and they have less … in only one month we set the terms,” Hegseth said. “Iran knows that, and there’s almost nothing they can militarily do about it.”


Hegseth also revealed he had visited US troops in the Middle East on Saturday to observe the ongoing operations firsthand.

On the question of foreign support for Iran, Hegseth acknowledged reports that Russia and China have been aiding Tehran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Russia has supplied Iran with drones and intelligence. “As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they’re doing, what they are or are not doing,” Hegseth said. “We don’t have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we’re addressing it, mitigating it, or confronting it head on.”

According to Hegseth, the US-led strikes are putting significant pressure on Iran’s armed forces, undermining morale and causing desertions at multiple levels. He said the upcoming days will be crucial in shaping the course of the conflict.

“The next few days will be decisive,” Hegseth said. “Iran knows it, and they are running out of military options.”

The Pentagon chief’s comments come as tensions in the region remain high, with both Iran’s military capabilities and its external support being closely monitored by the US.