Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth holds press conference on military operation in Iran

[1:40] Silence or cell phones you have a cell phone if you could silence it or turn it off [1:43] Check one to the final mic check check one to audio check. This is the chairman's mic [1:48] Please turn off your cell phone or put it in mute check one to check one to this is the chairman's mic check one to check one [1:56] To audio check one to we're doing a final mic check for the pool as well as dma [2:00] As well as a cell phone announcement, please silence all cell phones check one to check one to about four minutes [2:06] audio check one two we're doing a final mic check this is the secretary's mic [2:16] check one two check one two again please turn off all cell phones or silence them [2:22] thank you well good morning now we just finished an update with Admiral Brad [8:42] Cooper the CENTCOM commander across the CENTCOM AOR our leadership and troops as [8:46] you would expect doing a fantastic job two days ago under the direction and [8:52] direct orders of President Donald J Trump the Department of War launched [8:56] Operation Epic Fury the most lethal most complex and most precise aerial [9:02] operation in history for 47 long years the expansionist and Islamist regime in [9:09] Tehran has waged a savage one-sided war against America they didn't always [9:14] declare it openly except for their constant chance of death to America they [9:19] did it through the blood of our people car bombs in Beirut rocket attacks on our [9:25] ships murders at our embassies roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan funded and [9:32] armed by Iranian Quds Force and IRGC killers my generation of veterans carry [9:39] the names of brothers who never came home brothers butchered by Iranian-backed [9:44] roadside bombs and well-armed militias thousands of our own we didn't start this [9:51] war but under President Trump we are finishing it their war on Americans has [9:58] become our retribution against their Ayatollah and his death cult it took the [10:05] 47th president a fighter who always puts America first to finally draw the line [10:10] after 47 years of Iranian belligerence he reminded the world as he has time and [10:17] time again being an American means something unbreakable if you kill [10:22] Americans if you threaten Americans anywhere on earth we will hunt you down [10:26] without apology and without hesitation and we will kill you president Trump has [10:34] also been very consistent crazy regimes like Iran hell-bent on prophetic Islamist [10:40] delusions cannot have nuclear weapons it's common sense many have said it but it [10:48] takes guts to actually enforce it and our president has guts Iran's stubborn and [10:55] self-evident nuclear pursuits their targeting of global shipping lanes and [10:59] their swelling arsenal of ballistic missiles and killer drones were no longer are no [11:04] longer tolerable risks Iran was building powerful missiles and drones to [11:11] create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions let me say [11:16] that again a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions our bases our [11:23] people our allies all in their crosshairs Iran had a conventional gun to our head as [11:29] they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb it almost worked under Obama and his [11:36] terrible deal but not under this president turns out the regime who chanted death to [11:43] America and death to Israel was gifted death from America and death from Israel this is [11:53] not a so-called regime change war but the regime sure did change and the world is [12:01] better off for it today in their desperation the enemy is unmasked as Iranian missiles and drones [12:08] rain down indiscriminately on the hotels airports apartments and other civilian targets of their [12:16] neighbors cowardly terrorist tactics for from a regime that for decades has trafficked in cowardly [12:24] terrorist tactics lies death and destruction to this day the Iranian leadership has built nothing except [12:34] proxies and missiles and drones and deeply buried nuclear factories and facilities peaceful nuclear [12:41] ambitions do not need to be buried underneath mountains last June operation midnight hammer obliterated their [12:50] nuclear program to rubble afterward we told them plainly that's it now make a deal they arrogantly refused [12:58] we said rebuild it and we'll stop you again this time far worse well president Trump secretary Rubio [13:05] Steve Whitcoff Jared Kushner they bent over backwards for real diplomacy offering pathway after pathway to [13:12] peace I watched it I was there they tried over and over and over again earnest attempts at peace the former regime [13:21] had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal but Tehran was not negotiating they were stalling [13:30] buying time to reload their missile stockpiles and restart their nuclear ambitions their goal hold us [13:37] hostage threatening to strike our forces well president Trump doesn't play those games and as secretary [13:46] Rubio said after the Maduro raid if you don't know now you know president Trump puts America and Americans [13:55] he doesn't hesitate he doesn't hesitate and neither do our troops the mission of Operation Epic Fury is laser [14:02] focused destroy Iranian offensive missiles destroy Iranian missile production destroy their Navy and other [14:09] security infrastructure and they will never have nuclear weapons we're hitting them surgically [14:15] overwhelmingly and unapologetically with every passing day our capabilities get stronger and Iran's get weaker we set the terms of this war [14:27] of this war from start to finish our ambitions are not utopian they are realistic scoped to our interests and the defense [14:38] of our people and our allies speaking of people we hope the Iranian people take advantage of this incredible opportunity [14:47] President Trump has been clear now is your time to Iran's Iranian security forces choose wisely [14:57] President Trump has also been clear about your fate in either direction to the media outlets and political left screaming endless wars stop this is not Iraq this is not endless I was there for both our generation knows better and so does this president he called the last 20 years of nation building wars dumb and he's right this is the opposite this operation is a clear devastating decisive mission destroy the missile [15:35] threat destroy the Navy no nukes Israel has clear missions as well for which we are grateful capable partners as we've said since the beginning capable partners are good partners unlike so many of our traditional allies who wring their hands and clutch their pearls hemming and hawing about the use of force America regardless of what so-called international institutions say is unleashing the most lethal and precise air power campaign in history [16:07] b2's fighters drones missiles and of course classified effects all on our terms with maximum authorities no stupid rules of engagement no nation building quagmire no democracy building exercise no politically correct wars we fight to win and we don't waste time or lives as the president warned an effort of this scope will include casualties war is hell and always will be a grateful nation honors the four [16:44] four americans we have lost thus far and those injured the absolute best of america may we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honors them no apologies no hesitation epic fury for them and the thousands of americans before them taken too soon by iranian radicals before i turn it over to general kane for the operational update let me speak straight [17:20] let me speak straight to you [17:23] this is the generational turning point america has waited for since 1979 and since the rudderless wars of hubris [17:30] my generation our generation endured don't listen to the noise just stay focused our commander-in-chief is steady at the wheel [17:40] we face a determined enemy but you are better but we must prove it every single day history doesn't care [17:48] if we're tired if we're scared or if the fight feels big it demands warriors who rise anyway peace through strength [17:56] the warrior ethos lethality unity of purpose those are not slogans they're the beating heart of what it [18:05] means to wear the uniform that uniform you think clearly under fire you act decisively in chaos you [18:13] uphold the constitution and you uphold our country without hesitation we are not defenders anymore we are [18:22] warriors trained to kill the enemy and break their will history is watching be the force you swore an oath to [18:29] be focused disciplined lethal and unbreakable we will finish this on america first conditions [18:39] of president trump's choosing nobody else's as it should be and know this above all president trump and i [18:48] have your back always through fire through criticism through fake news through everything we unleash you [18:59] because you are the best most powerful most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen may almighty [19:08] god watch over you and his providential arms of protection extend over you godspeed warriors and keep [19:19] going general kane over to you thank you mr secretary and uh good morning everyone the purpose of my portion [19:25] of briefing today is to update you and the american people on the actions taken thus far the briefing will [19:32] discuss the preparation the planning setting the force the early operations and how we're assessing the [19:38] progress thus far so let's get started on saturday 28 february at 0 1 15 eastern standard time 9 45 a.m local [19:50] tehran time on the orders of the president united states u.s central command under the command of united [19:56] states navy admiral brad cooper commenced operation epic fury as i said i'm going to walk you through the [20:02] initial phases of the operation but first i want to express my deep condolences and the condolences of [20:09] the joint force to the department of war personnel killed and wounded in action thus far as the secretary [20:16] said they're heroes and represent the best of our nation has to offer they're true examples of what [20:23] selfless service means our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with their families their friends [20:29] and their units we grieve with you and we will never forget you additionally i stand here before [20:35] you today grateful for each service member planner logistician operator across our joint force for [20:42] our department of war civilians our intelligence community teammates our interagency teammates who [20:48] continue to stand in harm's way alongside us i am proud of all of you as you take the fight to the [20:55] enemy and we are the best in the world at integrating period i want to extend my personal gratitude to [21:03] the dedicated commanders and senior enlisted leaders and the enlisted members of the joint force [21:09] who are fighting this fight across the cencom aor in addition to admiral cooper and fleet master chief [21:16] compton i want to highlight a few today u.s army central command commander lieutenant general pat frank [21:23] who along with his team are fighting the counter missile and counter drone fight united states [21:30] navy central command commander vice admiral kurt renshaw and his team who are engaged with the [21:36] iranian navy and projecting american naval combat power from the seas and united states air force central [21:44] command commander lieutenant general derrick france and his leadership team who are crushing iranian [21:50] targets from the air i want to highlight the support to the cencom fight from other combatant commands [21:57] who are directly involved with this effort to include u.s spacecom u.s cybercom and usucom i also want to [22:06] specifically call out united states transportation command and u.s stratcom for their contributions to this [22:13] fight we cannot project american combat power at the time and place of our choosing without both [22:20] and finally i want to express how deeply thankful i am for the continued service and sacrifice of the [22:27] entire joint force and their families their unwavering commitment and dedication are the cornerstones of [22:35] this effort so let me start with a few details first to be clear as the secretary said this is not a single [22:43] overnight operation the military objectives at cencom and the joint force have been tasked with will take [22:50] some time to achieve and in some cases will be difficult and gritty work we expect to take [22:57] additional losses and as always we will work to minimize u.s losses but as the secretary said [23:04] this is major combat operations so let me talk about the preparation and the planning on february 28th [23:12] the full strength of america's armed forces came together in a unified purpose against a capable and [23:19] determined adversary the united states army navy marine corps air force space force coast guard [23:26] and our reserve components integrated our cross our combatant commands and began coordinated operations [23:33] with the israeli armed forces of an unprecedented scale as the secretary laid out our military objectives [23:41] are clear our mission is to protect and defend ourselves and together with our regional partners [23:46] prevent iran from the ability to project power outside of its borders and be ready for follow-on actions [23:55] as appropriate across every domain land air sea cyber the u.s joint force delivered synchronized [24:02] and layered effects designed to disrupt degrade deny and destroy iran's ability to conduct and sustain [24:11] combat operations on the u.s side this marked the culmination of months and in some cases years of [24:19] deliberate planning and refinement against this particular target set from precision strikes against [24:26] key military infrastructure to persistent intelligence and targeting integration to the close [24:33] coordination of the components across vast distances this operation again demonstrated america's reach [24:41] readiness and professionalism and that of our joint united force it was historic not only in the [24:48] operational scope but in the level of joint integration displayed across every element of the joint force [24:56] and as i said earlier this work is just beginning and will continue so now to talk a little bit about [25:02] setting the force and setting the theater on the order of the secretary of war over the last 30 days to [25:09] reinforce deterrence and provide the president with credible options should action be required the joint [25:16] force began to systematically reposition assets and personnel across the region these movements ensured [25:24] that u.s forces remain postured protected and ready to respond decisively for any emerging threat this [25:33] deployment included thousands of service members from all branches hundreds of advanced fourth and fifth [25:39] generation fighters dozens of refueling tankers the lincoln and ford carrier strike group and their [25:46] embarked air wings sustained flow of munitions fuel supplies all supported with command and control [25:53] intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance network and the flow of forces continues today in fact admiral cooper will [26:01] receive additional forces even today this rapid build up of forces demonstrated the joint forces ability to adapt [26:09] to adapt and project power at the time and place of our nation's choosing i want to highlight a couple specific cases for you [26:17] the gerald r ford carrier strike group which many of you know was down in the western hemisphere redeployed across the [26:23] atlantic to set the theater the ship her crew their families and the entire strike group took a deep breath [26:31] and as they always do began planning to conduct combat operations the integrated reserve and national guard forces [26:40] have continued to demonstrate the value of america's reserve forces including the wisconsin [26:46] wisconsin army national guard operating in kuwait and iraq and air national guard units from a variety of states [26:54] to include vermont and virginia in the case of the vermont air national guard and the 158 fighter wing they were mobilized for [27:02] operation absolute resolve and then were tasked to take their f-35 a's across the atlantic instead of going home to be prepared to support this operation [27:12] the same as with our air national guard and air force reserve command tanker and mobility forces who stepped right out of their civilian jobs [27:20] to deploy and to protect the region lastly i want to highlight the unsung heroes of warfare our american logisticians and sustainment force [27:33] those who quietly work every day behind the scenes to project and sustain america's combat power [27:41] our leaders from world war ii were right when they said professionals do logistics as regional tensions rose the joint force elevated our force protection measures on the order of the secretary [27:53] and repositioned discreetly civilians and non-essential personnel designed to ensure the safety and security of our joint force [28:01] by the time operations began only essential forces remained on our bases and in theater already capable to respond [28:09] so now let me move to h-hour at 15 38 3 38 pm on friday february 27th the united states central command through the secretary of war received the final go order from president trump [28:27] the president directed and i quote operation epic furious approved no aborts good luck close close quote [28:36] in the region every element of the joint force made their final preparations air defense batteries readied themselves [28:42] checking their systems to respond to iranian attacks pilots and crews rehearse their strike packages for the final time air crews began loading their final weapons and two carrier strike groups began to move towards their launching points across the [28:56] across the globe our operation centers came alive in tampa florida here at the pentagon and of course forward in the central command aor as always operational security was paramount as we sought to maintain and sustain the element of surprise this operation was highly classified so that at h-hour the enemy would see one thing speed surprise and violence of action the first movers were u.s cyber [29:27] com and u.s space com layering non-kinetic effects disrupting and degrading and blinding aran's ability to see communicate and respond at h-hour the beginning of major combat operations 0 1 15 local eastern daylight time 9 45 local am tehran time as dawn crept up across the central command aor the skies surge to life more than a hundred aircraft [29:56] a hundred aircraft launched from land sea fighters tankers airborne early warning electronic attack bombers from the states and unmanned platforms forming a single synchronized wave this was a daylight strike based on a trigger event conducted by the israeli defense forces enabled by the u.s intelligence community the first shooters at sea were tomahawks unleashed by the united states navy [30:27] theди of ocean army the first commissioner with american american armies of american forces [30:34] 500 dangerous forces to conduct strikes across the southern flank in iran on the ground forces fired precision standoff weapons measured deliberate precise and lethal this was a massive overwhelming attack across all domains of warfare striking more than a thousand targets in the first 24 hours we are now roughly 57 hours into the operation in the initial phase [30:54] CENTCOM's focus was systematic targeting of Iranians' command and control infrastructure, [31:00] naval forces, ballistic missile sites, and intelligence infrastructure designed to daze [31:07] and confuse them. Coordinated space and cyber operations effectively disrupted communications [31:14] and sensor networks across the area of responsibility, leaving the adversary [31:19] without the ability to see, coordinate, or respond effectively. The combined impact of these [31:26] strikes, swift, precise, and overwhelming, has resulted in the establishment of local air [31:32] superiority. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also [31:38] allow them to continue the work over Iran. Over the course of the last two days, the Joint Force has [31:45] launched hundreds of missions from land and sea and delivered tens of thousands of pieces of [31:51] ordnance. The effort continues to scale. This included American B-2 bombers, which again, [31:58] similar to Midnight Hammer, flew a 37-hour round-trip sortie from the continental United States, [32:04] dropping precision penetrating munitions on Iranian underground facilities across the southern flank [32:12] and slightly deeper. Additionally, Israel has separately executed hundreds of sorties [32:18] against hundreds of targets. Beyond Air Force and Navy aircraft strike packages, coordinated salvos of [32:26] precision standoff weapons from across the region have neutralized hundreds of pre-planned targets. [32:33] As I mentioned earlier, in support of these kinetic operations, U.S. Cybercom and Spacecom [32:38] have continuously layered effects to disrupt, disorient, and confuse the enemy. I will note [32:46] that this operation had several combat firsts, which I'll allow at some point in the future [32:52] Admiral Cooper to talk about since he owns the AOR. While we've prosecuted a relentless offensive [33:00] campaign, our defense has been equally important. Across the theater, operations have remained steady [33:07] disciplined. Once again, our integrated air and missile defense network is performing exactly as it's [33:16] intended. U.S. Patriot and THAAD batteries, along with ballistic missile defense-capable Navy destroyers, [33:25] continue to coordinate and execute intercepts with precision and consistency. I wish that every [33:32] American could hear the voice communications like I have as these joint operation centers remain calm, [33:42] focused, and cool while executing under fire over and over again. Collectively, these systems have [33:51] intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces, our partners, and regional stability. [33:59] The threat from one-way attack UAVs has remained persistent. Our systems have proven effective [34:06] in countering these platforms, engaging targets rapidly. Each intercept represents hundreds of hours [34:13] of training, readiness, and technology all coming together to work as designed. We remain vigilant in [34:21] the counter-UAV fight, and the defense of the region is not ours alone. As the threat grew, [34:28] our partners surged in beside us. Air defense batteries in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi [34:35] Arabia joined the fight, proof positive that years of training, trust, and hard-earned integration [34:42] pay off. I am aware of the loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15Es overnight in the region. I am grateful [34:52] for the safety of the crews, and we know that this was not from hostile enemy fire. As this matters [34:59] under investigation, I'll not comment further on this. Let me close. Operations will remain active [35:07] across the theater and across the globe. The U.S. forces are postured not only to maintain pressure, [35:15] but to respond and adapt as required. Operation Epic Fury stands as a reminder of what the United States [35:23] military uniquely delivers. The ability to project power on a global scale with speed, surprise, [35:32] precision, and overwhelming force when and where our nation requires it. What we've demonstrated over [35:41] the past several days reflects years of investment in readiness, joint integration, and professionalism [35:47] of the joint force. As major combat operations continue across CENTCOM, we remain engaged globally. [35:55] America's joint force retains the credibility, capacity, and flexibility to respond to any contingency [36:03] anywhere in the world at any time. To those who would test our resolve or threaten the United States, [36:11] our allies, our allies, or our interests, understand clearly we can reach you, we can sustain the fight, [36:20] and we can scale the fight, and we will prevail. To the American people, your joint force remains steady, [36:30] frosty, calm, and focused. Your service members are trained, disciplined, and determined. We understand the [36:39] risks of this mission, and the weight of the responsibility that we carry. We also recognize that our families also [36:49] shoulder the burden at home. You are a part of this too. I am proud today, as I am every day, to stand as a member of [36:59] America's joint force. There is no mission too complex, no distance too great, and no adversary too determined for the men and [37:08] women who wear our nation's uniform. We mourn our fallen, we honor their families, and we continue our mission [37:17] with focus, unity, and strength. And now I'm happy to take any questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Right here. Go ahead. [37:24] Thank you for your time. What percentage of Iranian long-strait capabilities are still in the fight, and what is [37:32] our exit strategy here, and when will it be deployed? [37:35] Well, they have long-range strike capabilities, which we are hyper-focused on. The brief we got just this [37:42] morning, Admiral Cooper knows exactly and precisely what kind of threat matrix he's looking at, the way [37:47] they might change their techniques, and how we adapt to that. So we're making sure the theater commander [37:52] has absolutely everything he needs. I mean, one of the things the chairman mentioned is for months and [37:57] months, even before we built up, we ensured that we had maximum defensive capabilities in theater [38:01] to allow the president the decision space in the future. So even before this buildup in the last 30 [38:07] days, we discreetly brought defensive assets in to make sure, understanding that there are Iranian [38:13] capabilities. As far as time frame, I would never hang a time frame from our perspective. The commander [38:18] in chief sets the op tempo in terms of this fight. As I said, it's on his terms, and we'll make sure that [38:23] Admiral Cooper and his team have everything they need, not just to defend. I mean, the best defense is good [38:28] offense. And so we're aggressively pushing into that airspace over that southern flank to ensure [38:34] that we control it and we destroy anything that moves that would attempt to shoot us. Think of it [38:38] as shooting the archer instead of the arrows. That's where we want to be. And we have the kind of exquisite [38:45] intelligence to get over the top, find that and destroy it. It won't happen overnight. This is a big [38:50] battle space with a lot of capabilities. That's part of the reason why it's such a threat to us. That's why I [38:56] talk about conventional umbrella to blackmail nuclear ambitions. They were building up this [39:03] conventional arsenal in order to ensure that no one would ever block them from their ability to [39:08] get nuclear weapons. So we're very clear eyed about the nature of this Iranian threat and we're going [39:13] to get after it. I don't know if you have anything to add to that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the [39:16] question. The only thing I'll add is unlike an operation, a single operation like Midnight Hammer or [39:21] absolute resolve. Well, it'll take some time for us to conduct battle damage assessment and the [39:27] targeting cycle that CENTCOM will run will take those things into effect. Admiral Cooper will adjust [39:32] his plan and fires accordingly to ensure that we're treating that. He's focused on long-range strike [39:37] capability coming out of the enemy and that's a key and essential part of it. Capabilities that still [39:44] exist from the enemy front? Yeah, that's what I mean when I say we're still doing BDA. Normally, you know, [39:50] normally we'd be able to see a singular thing and we'd assess pretty quickly. He's doing offense [39:55] and assessment simultaneously so it'll take longer for us to assess than it would in a single operation. [40:02] Secretary Hickson, thank you. Reagan Reese with The Daily Caller. Two questions for you. The [40:08] president said yesterday in his video message that we will leave Iran when we complete all of our [40:13] objectives. What are our objectives and can you share more information on how the soldiers who were killed [40:19] were killed? Well, I laid out the objectives as did the chairman. They're completely nested. I mean, [40:25] Iran has an ability to project power against us and our allies in ways that we can't tolerate. So [40:31] whether that's ballistic missiles and drones, so offensive capabilities, effectively their navy, which would [40:37] attempt to set other terms and impose different costs. Drone capabilities, which we laid out there. And [40:44] ultimately, though, this tying it back to Midnight Hammer, the president has been willing to make [40:50] a deal. You can't have a nuclear bomb. Radical Islamists can't have a nuclear bomb that they [40:55] wield against the world. He gave them every single opportunity. Then we precisely took it away. And even [41:01] even then, after that, they didn't have that. They didn't come to the table with a willingness to give [41:06] it away. So ultimately, that those nuclear ambitions, which never ceased, are something that had to be [41:12] addressed as well. So that's a discreet sense of what's being addressed here to ensure that they [41:17] can't use that conventional umbrella to continue a pursuit of nuclear ambitions. And then as it pertains [41:25] to the U.S. casualties, that particular incident was, you know, you have air defenses and the lots coming in [41:31] and you hit most of it. And we absolutely do. We have incredible air defenders. Every once in a while, [41:35] you might have one, unfortunately, we call it a squirter that makes its way through. And in that [41:41] particular case, it happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified. But these [41:49] are powerful weapons. So we certainly will do, as I said, moments like that as we remember them and we [41:56] take care of them and take care of their families, only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we do this [42:02] properly. Yep. Thank you, Secretary Hexeth. I had two questions for you. First, are there currently [42:09] any American boots on the ground in Iran? No, but we're not going to go into the exercise of what [42:17] we will or will not do. I think it's one of those fallacies for a long time that this department or [42:23] presidents or others should tell the American people this and our enemies, by the way, here's [42:26] exactly what we'll do. Here's exactly how long we'll go. Here's exactly how far we'll go. [42:31] Here's what we're willing to do and not do. It's foolishness. And so President Trump ensures [42:36] that our enemies understand we'll go as far as we need to go to advanced American interests. [42:42] But we're not dumb about it. You don't have to roll 200,000 people in there and stay for 20 years. [42:46] We've proven that you can achieve objectives that advance American interests without being foolish [42:51] about it. Now, will we be bold about it? Are we willing to be decisive about it? Do we put months [42:56] and months of planning into what kind of effects we want to achieve? Absolutely. But going forward, [43:01] why in the world would we tell you, you, the enemy, anybody, what we will or will not do in pursuit [43:09] of an objective? We fight to win. We fight to achieve the objectives the president of the United [43:14] States has laid out. And we will do so unapologetically. Thank you. [43:18] Is there any significance to Israel carrying out the strike to kill the Ayatollah? And I wanted to know, [43:23] what was your immediate reaction to finding out about his killing? [43:25] I think Israel did a great job in the conduct of that operation. [43:30] President Trump put a four-week timeline on it. Are you saying that's wrong? [43:35] Yeah, thank you. You mentioned during the briefing, General Cain, that there would be additional [43:41] troops sent to the region. Could you say how many troops currently are involved in this operation [43:47] and how many additional troops are planned to go in in this next phase? [43:52] I don't want to talk specifics because that would tip the enemy off. We have more tactical aviation [43:59] flowing into theater just based on the time it took to get it out there. I think we're just about where [44:05] we want to be in terms of total combat capacity and total combat power for Admiral Cooper. One of [44:11] the things, though, that a commander, he'll consistently assess the trajectory of the campaign, [44:17] is he on or off trajectory, and then make an ask of the joint force, which will then develop options [44:24] for consideration by the secretary and the president to either increase or, in some cases, [44:29] decrease the amount of combat capability that we have over there. [44:33] I heard the question about four weeks. It's the typical NBC sort of gotcha type question. [44:40] President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take, [44:44] four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move up. It could move back. We're going to execute at his [44:49] command the objectives we've set out to achieve. And what he has shown ability to do that other [44:54] presidents can't quite seem to have the aperture to do, well, I mean, Joe Biden didn't even know what [44:59] he was doing, is to look for opportunities and off ramps and escalations for the United States that [45:04] creates new opportunities to execute what we need on our own timeline. So you can play games about four [45:10] weeks, five weeks. He has all the latitude, and I'm glad he does, because there's no better [45:13] communicator than our president expressing those things. I've been in meetings with the president [45:19] for the last two and a half days. We know exactly where his head space is, and he will communicate [45:24] as he should exactly what he would like, and we will follow those orders. And I think he, [45:30] everything he said on that is right down the middle. Absolutely. Yes, right there. Yes, sir. [45:34] Thank you very much, Secretary. I left my hometown of Saqqas in Iranian Kurdistan in 1996. Can you promise [45:45] that I will be able to return home safely this year? And I have a following question, too, please. [45:52] I appreciate the question. I'm not here to place guarantees on that, but I think the message [45:57] the president has given has been clear. To the people of Iran, this is your moment. [46:00] There were, the world was seized by these crowds, and then seized by the reality of this regime [46:08] killing tens of thousands of innocent protesters. So we saw the nature of the regime yet again exposed. [46:13] We saw many, many of the Iranian people seek a change there. This is their moment to take it. [46:20] That no American soldiers were killed in Kurdistan. The Kurdish people are very pro-American. [46:27] Will you continue to protect Kurdistan and Peshmerga as loyal ally of the United States? [46:35] Why I'm asking this question? Because no Kurdistan is under attack by Iranian drones and by proxies in Iraq and on the region. [46:45] I think I can speak to allies generally in the region who we've been in constant communication with. [46:50] We've been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them, and we appreciate their capabilities, absolutely. [46:55] Yes, right here. [46:56] Hi, thank you. Cameron Arcand with The Daily Wire. [46:58] My question is about some of the domestic threats, if any, regarding this right now. [47:02] Are there any concerns about Iranian sleeper cells and kind of what has the Trump administration been doing to kind of monitor these threats? [47:09] Well, across the interagency, in full coordination, of course, for paying attention to any potentialities there. [47:16] This is a former regime, a regime that seeks to export that ideology and try to sow terror. [47:25] We're ready for that. We've seen these types of folks before, and the American people can rest assured that we're vigilant on that. [47:31] Secondary, thank you. Kind of a follow-up on that last question. There was just this, what appears to be a terrorist attack, in Austin yesterday. Does that change the operation at all? What effect does that have? [47:44] It doesn't change the operation at all, and I know the authorities are executing exactly the way they should. [47:49] Secretary Hickset, and one for Chairman McCain as well. I understand, to your point here, that you don't want to broadcast everything for our adversaries to hear, [47:58] but the American people also want to know what they're sending their men and women to war for. [48:03] Is there a concern of this spiraling into a longer war, and then one for the Chairman when you're done? [48:10] Did you not hear my remarks? I mean, we're ensuring the mission gets accomplished, but we are very clear-eyed, as the President has been, [48:17] unlike other Presidents, about the foolish policies of the past that recklessly pulled us in to things that were not tethered to actual clear objectives. [48:27] So, we know, we have plans, we have generals, we have chairmen's, we have commanders, CENTCOM commanders, Admiral Cooper, [48:36] who's executing very deliberately to ensure outcomes that I laid out are accomplished, [48:41] but we would never, in front of a press pool, lay out how long that may take. [48:46] The mission for our warfighters, which is what matters to us, is very, very clear, and they're executing it right now violently. [48:53] For the Chairman, quickly, I have one, just for the Chairman, you said this is not a one-night operation, [49:00] it will take time to achieve the goals. What would be the goal line here for you? [49:05] I think the Secretary laid out the military objectives, and that's what we execute against, is the military objectives. [49:11] Last one, right here. [49:12] Thank you, sir. As you've said there, your prayer for them. [49:17] First of all, my prayer for them is that I do pray for them. [49:20] My wife prays for them, our family prays for them, our Cabinet prays for them. [49:25] None of this is done on a whim. [49:30] Having been in their boots, having been in their shoes, having been in their flight suits, [49:35] I think we, I mean, I know we think about them with every decision that we make [49:39] and every recommendation that we make to the President of the United States. [49:42] Those, those, those recommendations are made prayerfully, and when I pray every day for them [49:49] and for this mission, I pray simply for the Biblical wisdom to see what is right and the courage to do it. [49:55] It's going to take courage to follow through on this. [49:58] There's going to be a lot of noise, and we pray for that, and we hope all of you do as well. [50:02] Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you.