Pentagon Presents Iran Options to Trump Amidst Israeli Strikes: Defense Secretary Hegseth briefed lawmakers on potential military responses to escalating Iran-Israel conflict, declining to confirm US involvement in Israeli attacks. The decision on potential US military action, including the use of bunker-buster bombs, rests with President Trump. This situation raises concerns about a wider Middle East war
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced lawmakers for his final, contentious hearing on Capitol Hill. Hegseth faced intense questioning regarding controversial policies, including a proposed transgender troop ban and the use of Signal for sharing sensitive military information
Pentagon Chief Hegseth Testifies on Iran: Maximum Force Protection for US Troops, Bunker Buster Decision Awaits Trump. Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon is providing President Trump with options regarding Iran, including the potential use of a B-2 stealth bomber and "bunker buster" bomb for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The decision rests solely with Trump, with Hegseth remaining tight-lipped on future US actions in the Middle East
Israel's recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites require advanced weaponry. The Fordo uranium enrichment facility, a key target, necessitates a bunker-buster bomb for successful neutralization. This situation raises the stakes for potential US involvement and military intervention in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict
President Trump remained tight-lipped Wednesday on potential US military action against Iran, following Tehran's warning of severe retaliation for any such strike. The decision on a potential US attack remains pending
Trump's Iran Decision: Will the US Strike? President Trump remained noncommittal on Wednesday regarding potential US military action against Iran, telling reporters, "I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I'm going to do." This follows Pentagon briefings offering options for responding to escalating tensions in the Middle East
Trump considers US military action against Iran's nuclear program, stating it's not too late for Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The President weighs direct US involvement in potential Israeli strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued a stark warning to the U.S.: attacks on Iran will result in devastating and irreversible consequences. He rejected President Trump's demands for Iran to concede, vowing retaliation against any U.S. military action
Trump's Response to Iran: "Good Luck" on Supreme Leader's Defiance – Amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, President Trump offered a cryptic "good luck" regarding the Iranian Supreme Leader's refusal to surrender, fueling speculation about potential US military intervention
Pentagon Prepares Military Options for Trump on Iran: Hegseth Confirms
Pentagon offers President Trump military options on Iran, emphasizing readiness and preparedness amidst escalating tensions with Israel. Hegseth confirms the Defense Department is providing plans, highlighting the President's decisive role and the importance of strategic options in the face of potential conflict
US military deploys refueling tankers and fighter jets to the Middle East, bolstering readiness for potential evacuations and airstrikes amid escalating Israeli-Iranian conflict. This deployment prioritizes the protection of US personnel and airbases
Hegseth's recent congressional testimony was overshadowed by the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles protests, defying Governor Newsom. This action preceded a large military parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with Trump's birthday
Hegseth faces lawmaker scrutiny over Pentagon budget transparency. Previous hearings revealed congressional dissatisfaction with the lack of detailed information provided by the Defense Secretary regarding the administration's proposed defense budget
Trump's proposed defense budget increase: a potential $1 trillion surge from the current $800 billion+ spending level
Hegseth, who is appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, has spent vast amounts of time during his first months in office promoting the social changes he’s making at the Pentagon. He’s been far less visible in the administration’s more critical international security crises and negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Iran.
For example, Hegseth directed the renaming of a Navy ship that had honored Harvey Milk, a slain gay rights activist who served as a sailor during the Korean War. He also has touted other moves to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and said a ban on transgender troops in the military was a way to regain the “warrior ethos.”
Wednesday’s hearing was the first time Hegseth has gone before some senators since he squeaked through his Senate confirmation with a tie-breaking vote. It was the closest vote of any Trump Cabinet member.
While he has talked a lot about making the military more lethal, it was his use of the unclassified, unsecured Signal messaging app that quickly caught public attention.
Set up by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz, a group chat that included Hegseth and other senior administration leaders was used to share information about upcoming military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The chat came to light because the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to it. Waltz took responsibility for the gaffe, but Hegseth was roundly criticized for sharing details about the military strikes in that chat and in another one that included his wife and brother.
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The Pentagon’s watchdog is looking into Hegseth’s use of Signal and expected to issue a report soon.
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