Pentagon briefing on Iran: 'Regime change has occurred', Hegseth says

[0:00] well over the weekend i had the opportunity to visit our troops fighting in operation epic fury [0:07] we were on in the ground or on the ground excuse me in centcom on saturday for about half the day [0:13] for reasons of operational security so those troops are not targeted the places and bases [0:20] will not be named suffice it to say the trip was an honor i had a chance to bear witness [0:29] and i witnessed the best of america i witnessed warriors a brotherhood of men and women warriors [0:39] all active duty guard and reserve united in their love for each other their shared purpose and their [0:46] commitment to the mission i witnessed sheer competency i watched a private first class [0:53] confidently calling out an enemy missile trajectory to a room full of officers everyone [0:59] focused the room was locked in two enemy missiles successfully [1:04] to a room full of soldiers the air force was [1:21] just about to那 [1:31] led the way me [1:34] and many other veterans who were officers in the air force [1:37] and in the armed forces [1:37] and in the air force [1:38] showed dexterity and enough courage to start the war [1:38] I spoke to air force and navy pilots on the flight line who everyday both deliver bombs deep into Iran but also shoot down drones defending their base many had just returned from the skies of Iran and tehran I put on a headset and spoke to one crew in the cockpit locked and loaded each and every day i witnessed ingenuity american ingenuity i met the young army officer who figured out how to neutralize maneuvering Johnson and Johnson at the same time I was given a warning that the soldiers would be killed by a fireman and the த energy pl另ally the first one in the G press was brought in the army [1:38] enemy missiles, saving countless lives. His commander confirmed that the whoops and cheers [1:44] erupted in the Tactical Operations Center when his new approach was first successful. [1:50] I met the Air Force intel analyst who refines target packages faster than the enemy can adapt. [1:56] I actually gave him my card and told him to keep me posted on the ground truth. I did the same with [2:04] his boss, a colonel with a heart the size of Texas and a beautiful deployment mustache to match. [2:13] I witnessed lethality. I met a junior airman as the sun was going down and a chill was setting [2:22] on the tarmac who, when asked what they needed, she simply looked up at me with a sly smile on [2:30] her face and said, more bombs, sir, and bigger bombs. We will happily oblige her. I met the [2:40] Army targeting team who found and sunk the pride and joy of the Iranian Navy, their fighting [2:46] position plastered with images of sunken enemy ships. And I witnessed [2:51] urgency. Right when we landed, another C-17 landed just minutes after us. And within 30 [2:58] seconds of the aircraft coming to a full stop, a team on the ground pulled up and the cargo was [3:04] being uploaded. Wartime speed. To a man and to a woman on the ground, in the air, on the flight [3:13] line, and in the talk, I heard, we want everything faster. Higher op tempo. Wartime speed. The [3:24] feeling was the exact opposite of the rotational speed. I heard, we want everything faster. [3:26] It was the same for the Conductor. It was the same for the [3:45] passenger electronics. We're going to go take another turn. [3:51] . [3:52] I got a chance to troop the line. To witness firsthand what we already know is true, [4:02] to all ranks and all services none of whom knew we were coming it was not rehearsed or scripted [4:06] sometimes we just wandered what i witnessed was motivation it was sheer mission focus it was the [4:15] american warrior unleashed it was the kind of war fighting american spirit that comes with a clear [4:21] mission against a determined enemy a crew chief we flew with summed it up nicely he said it's been a [4:30] busy few weeks sir tough stuff but i'm so honored to be called up this fight is long overdue we need [4:37] to address it for our kids we cannot pass the buck please thank the president from us i heard [4:45] that time and time again i asked each young american what do you need and nobody said better [4:53] equipment nobody said more comfortable living conditions nobody said send me home well of course [4:59] eventually we want all those things they do too but what those americans said to me young and old [5:07] officer and nco male and female black and white was let's finish [5:12] the mission get us even more bombs bigger bombs more targets let us finish this in fact admiral [5:21] cooper noted this morning that the three air force captains shot down by kuwaiti friendly fire [5:26] early in the fight weeks ago they never left the theater all dropped bombs over tehran last night [5:36] these men and women live the iranian threat every day incoming missiles and drones and know what a [5:42] world looks like what the world would look like if iran had the most dangerous weapons in the world [5:47] a nuclear weapon as president trump has said time and time again for years and in this administration [5:54] iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and they won't these troops they want to finish this fight for [6:00] their kids and their grandkids this is about history this is about legacy success matters [6:09] and because of this president and these americans we're closer than ever before to winning president [6:16] trump is doing what no other president had the guts to do previous presidents were [6:22] all talk he's all action on the battlefield because of the latitude the president has given [6:29] us american firepower is only increasing iran's decreasing we have more and more options and they [6:39] have less just one month in only one month we set the terms the upcoming days will be decisive iran [6:48] knows that and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it yes they will still shoot [6:54] some missiles but we will shoot them down of note the last 24 hours saw the [7:00] largest number of enemy missiles and drones fired by iran they will go underground but we will find [7:08] them we recently destroyed another one of their command bunkers leaders forced to flee no water [7:14] no power no oxygen no command and control their faith in their caves diminishing the latest intel [7:24] is clear out of centcom our strikes are damaging the morale of the iranian military leading to [7:29] widespread desertions key personnel shortages and causing frustrations amongst senior [7:35] leaders just last night we had 200 dynamic strikes alone dynamic strike is a strike where a pilot [7:43] leaves and during their flight they get a new target set based on real-time intel given to them [7:50] a new launcher a new location a new troop formation a dynamic target is one that changes [7:54] while you're in the air because of improved intelligence 200 dynamic strikes alone in [7:59] addition to the pre-planned targets the video the president posted last night of esfahan an ammo depot [8:07] that was launched by u.s bombers you see you don't get to see many of those videos because [8:13] as a reminder iran has still shut off the internet to 99.9 percent of its population but if iran is [8:21] wise they will cut a deal president trump doesn't bluff and he does not back down you can ask [8:28] khomeini about that the new iranian regime should know that by now this new regime because regime [8:36] change has occurred should be wiser than the last president trump will make a deal he is willing and [8:45] the terms of the deal are known to them [8:46] if iran is not willing then the united states war department will continue with even more intensity [8:54] standing here this morning in this briefing room in my mind's eye i'm actually looking out at the [9:02] groups i met this weekend the pilots the logisticians the intel analysts the targeters the [9:10] sustainers the flight crews the air defenders the base security those maintainers so we walked up [9:18] at sunset with the chill in the air on the flight line may god watch over all of us and we'll see you next time [9:25] all of them each day and each night may his almighty and eternal arms of providence stretch [9:33] over them and protect them and bring them peace in the name of jesus christ and amen mr chairman [9:42] over to you thank you mr secretary good morning everyone and thank you again for being here as [9:47] operations continue i remain deeply grateful for the service and determination of 2.8 million [9:53] members of our joint force each of whom are serving something greater than the power of the [9:57] armed forces and we continue to earn what they've given to us this morning i want to share that [10:27] yesterday we received a letter from the president of the united states saying that we will continue to [10:27] serve him and that our joint forces will continue to serve him and i thank him for that and i want to [10:29] thank the president and other members of the army and the people of our joint forces for [10:31] bringing us this special spirit and for all the things that you did for us in our time today [10:34] we want to honor you and the work you've done we thank you for that i'm really grateful [10:36] for all the support and recognition that you're giving to the union that's made this possible [10:39] and i want to thank you all for being here it's been a pleasure being here and we certainly [10:43] appreciate your time today thank you everyone anyway and again if you have any questions about [10:46] any of our topics that you're turning to you you can reach out to us or you can contact us at [10:49] the aaronville office call us on the phone or on our website at editorie and slash and we [10:51] ... [10:51] will be happy to speak to you again tonight and make sure you have a great end of the weekend [10:53] age of 92. Bud, yesterday, a legend to our Air Force and fighter pilots everywhere, was honored [11:00] with a combination flyby of F-35s and a four-ship of P-51 Mustangs. He was one of the most prolific [11:07] flying aces of World War II and the highest scoring P-51 ace with 16 and a quarter kills [11:13] in his squadron and in his group. And he served from 1942 to 1972. And his last combat tour was [11:22] flying F-104 Thunder Chiefs over North Vietnam. For anyone that had the chance to meet Colonel [11:29] Anderson, you knew what an incredibly special man he was. And that's true for each and every [11:35] one of our World War II vets who become fewer and fewer with each passing day. They are the [11:41] greatest generation and give us the gift of an incredible example as we execute Operation Epic [11:48] Fury today. And Colonel Anderson, we mourn for your loss. [11:53] And remember that smile on the right side as you went out to do our nation's business. I'd like to [11:59] now share an operational update. Our Joint Force continues to focus on our military objectives as [12:04] we systematically continue to degrade and destroy Iran's ability to project power and threaten [12:10] stability beyond its borders. First, the Joint Force continues to destroy Iran's ballistic missile [12:17] and UAS capabilities. We remain focused on interdicting and destroying the logistical [12:23] and supply chains that feed these programs. And this remains a truly joint effort, prosecuted around [12:30] the clock from air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace. Long-range bombers from U.S. Strategic [12:37] Command are coordinating with tactical fighter aircraft from our Joint Force, launched from bases [12:42] around the region and the continental United States. While simultaneously, Navy fighters [12:47] from the sea and sailors continue to project power from the sea while Army and Marine artillery [12:53] units are in the air. And we continue to project power from the sea while Army and Marine artillery [12:53] units are in the air. And we continue to project power from the sea while Army and Marine artillery [12:53] units continue to execute long-range precision fires deep into enemy territory against high-value [13:00] targets. Meanwhile, on the defense side, our Army and Air Defenders and aviators, as the Secretary [13:06] talked about, remain vigilant, forming a shield to protect our forces and our partners intercepting [13:12] missiles and drones. Together, we continue to deliver precision strikes against key manufacturing [13:18] nodes, component storage sites, research facilities deep within Iran's borders. We continue to [13:23] maintain ourges solid weaponry since Wisland, which is included under our airstrike needs CD0 ре2R5 Canadair, [13:26] supplements the US forces operating over from the Seaилась's steering units and [13:47] tutoring system. Thus, we have successfullyACTED more actively combatting incoming enemy drones and [13:50] we previously did so only in theicutios Abu al Q 밥. We have alsoồagced to combat круп air and [13:52] official and foreign- syrup tasks that had been used around the area. Thus, we continue to doisloy [13:53] the battle space. We've continued to do the work against Iran's missile, drone, and naval production [14:00] facilities, and we continue the multi-domain pressure that we've talked about. Second, on the [14:06] Navy front, we continue to assert dominance over the Iranian Navy. We remain focused on targeting [14:12] their mine lane capability, their naval assets, and we've now, as I mentioned briefly last time, [14:17] started to work attack helicopters and other close air support assets into the naval domain. [14:23] CENTCOM continues to identify and work against naval depots and storage areas, and we've taken [14:30] out, again, more than 150 ships, including all Jameran-class frigates inside their Navy. [14:37] Third, we continue to prosecute our campaign against our defense industrial base at scale. [14:43] This includes factories, warehouses, nuclear weapons research and development labs, [14:48] and the associated infrastructure required for Iran to reconstitute its [14:53] combat capability. I'd like to continue my theme of highlighting the incredible contributions [15:00] of Americans to our joint force. Today, I want to talk a little bit about a different front line, [15:07] a line that doesn't have bunkers or guard posts, but is just as critical to our nation's security, [15:13] our National Assembly lines. Today, I want to recognize a group of Americans who live at the [15:18] beginning of our nation's combat power, the Americans who actually make our weapons, [15:24] both inside our defense industrial base, but even more broadly, inside our national industrial base. [15:31] In every military option, we could not and cannot do our jobs without the men and women across our [15:38] country who show up every day around the clock to a factory floor, a workshop, a laboratory, who [15:46] build the weapons and capabilities we need to project American combat power at the time and [15:53] place of our choosing. [15:54] These great Americans, and I've had a chance to spend some time with them when I was in the private sector, [15:59] are the core of American combat power. They're the machinists running high-tech CNC machines, [16:05] cutting raw blocks of metal into incredibly precise parts. They're the assembly workers [16:11] painstakingly taking a kit of parts and turning that into a complex guidance system, or precision [16:18] munition, or a rocket motor, or building a jet or submarine, or they're the quality assurance [16:24] technicians who ensure that when a warfighter pulls a trigger, the weapon works every time. [16:32] This can be and is tough and gritty work. It's not a quiet office and a desk with paper [16:39] and there's nothing wrong with that, but this is exactly the way this group of Americans [16:43] likes it. I know this, I've seen it myself, and I remain deeply honored by that gift. [16:49] It's often loud and dangerous work demanding, requires absolute focus. You know, if you're [16:54] focus for hours at a time with deep commitment to get it right every single time. It's hands-on [17:01] work where one uncaught mistake or deviation can put an American's life at risk. A single [17:08] misplaced wire, a microscopic flaw in a weld, incorrectly calibrated sensor could mean the [17:14] difference between mission success or mission failure. The difference is measured in the lives [17:20] of our sons and daughters who we put out around the field and on the field of battle. We rely on [17:26] and trust in these great Americans and it's not just their manufacturing skill, it's their [17:32] innovative minds and their entrepreneurial spirit. From those who build exquisite capabilities down [17:39] to the mom-and-pop machine shops all over this great country, they live at the beginning of [17:45] and the core of America's combat capability, constantly adapting, [17:50] constantly improving, constantly learning. And there are examples of this throughout history [17:56] and current days, to include building things like the F-117 stealth fighter, the B-2 stealth bomber, [18:04] making our combat capability undetectable over the enemy, to today's B-21 and F-47. [18:11] It's work like in the shipyards of the east coast and northeast side of the United States [18:17] that go out and build America's nuclear submarines that allow [18:20] us to be able to do what we want to do, and to be able to do what we want to do, and to be able to [18:20] help us to patrol around the world at the time and place of our choosing. These innovators, these [18:26] workers, these incredible Americans don't get the same glory as a fighter pilot returning to [18:32] a carrier deck at night, or an artilleryman sending rounds downrange, and yet they show up [18:38] every single day. And without them, we could not do the work that we are tasked to do. [18:44] 24-7, they build the tools that we need to do our business. The skill, the commitment, [18:50] the patriotism, the dedication poured into every piece of combat capability and hardware is seen [18:59] and felt out at the edge of the force, as the Secretary talked about those young bomb builders [19:05] out in the desert that he had the chance to see. You can see it, you can feel it, and it's real, [19:12] and we're deeply grateful. So to the American workforce out there, [19:17] both inside our defense industrial base and in our national industrial base, [19:20] thank you on behalf of the joint force. We carry the weapons that you build, we rely on the systems [19:27] that you create, and the distance from that factory floor and that assembly line to the front line is [19:34] incredibly short. Thank you, keep it up. And to our adversaries out there, I remind you to beware [19:41] of the American workforce. We continue to press forward in our military objectives. The Secretary [19:47] and I remain deeply humbled by the spirit of the military. [19:50] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, [19:53] for your spirit, tenacity, commitment, and grit of our 2.8 million member strong joint force. [19:56] I want to, as always, thank the force and their families, and as always, remember our fallen. [20:02] We carry with them and their names every day. Sir, I'll turn it back over to you. [20:06] Absolutely. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Two things. He didn't note it, but in memory of Colonel [20:10] Bud Anderson, the Chairman himself flew his F-16 to honor him recently. And thank you for highlighting [20:16] the defense industrial base, the arsenal of freedom. It's worth noting, no one has rebuilt [20:20] that defense industrial base faster and with more purpose than President Trump in his first term, [20:25] and now we're rebuilding the arsenal of freedom. Our defense industrial base is more vibrant today [20:31] than it's been since World War II and growing rapidly. Contrast that with Iran, [20:36] whose defense industrial base is nearly completely destroyed. [20:40] Their ability to reconstitute the weapons of war they're using now that they're hiding in [20:44] underground facilities and attriting over time, their ability to rebuild that is negligible. And [20:50] I think that contrast is an enduring legacy of this as well.