Washington: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted on Wednesday that Iran “begged for this ceasefire” after facing overwhelming military pressure from the United States and its allies. Addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth described the outcome as a “historic success” for the Trump administration, stating that sustained US strikes had severely degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including its missile and air defence infrastructure.
Hegseth claimed that Iranian forces were left unable to effectively defend their territory, forcing Tehran to return to the negotiating table. He credited President Donald Trump with achieving a “decisive military victory,” saying the current administration succeeded where previous ones had hesitated. According to Hegseth, Operation Epic Fury had “functionally destroyed” much of Iran’s capacity to produce missiles and sustain prolonged conflict.
#WATCH | U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth says," We know that the new so-called not-so-supreme leader (of Iran) is wounded and likely disfigured…"
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2026
Source: US Department of War/ YouTube pic.twitter.com/xaJncLWNVT
The Defence Secretary further stated that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was “wounded and likely disfigured” as a result of recent strikes. He added that President Trump had the power to cripple Iran’s entire economy quickly but chose mercy by sparing additional targets once Iran accepted the ceasefire under pressure.
The two-week ceasefire agreement was reached just before a deadline set by President Trump, with Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe maritime passage. Hegseth described the truce as fragile, noting that upcoming talks in Islamabad would determine whether it leads to a more permanent settlement.
Separately, US Vice President JD Vance called the agreement a “fragile truce” and cautioned Iran ahead of the negotiations. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have portrayed the ceasefire differently, with President stating it as the “fruit of Khamenei’s martyrdom.”
The developments come after weeks of escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, during which US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear sites and other infrastructure.
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