U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Saturday that Washington was not caught off guard by the recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites and senior military leaders, nor by the overall escalation between the two countries.
“I don’t think we were really surprised by any of the back-and-forth dynamics,” Hegseth told CNN, adding, “That’s ongoing, but we’re monitoring it closely.”
He affirmed that the United States is well-positioned to protect its forces and interests in the region. “We are in a strong position to ensure the safety of our personnel, our bases, and our interests… and we will keep Americans safe,” he emphasized.
Hegseth highlighted that the U.S. maintains considerable military capabilities in the Middle East and is fully prepared to respond if necessary.
Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach, Hegseth noted, “The President continues to emphasize peace through a negotiated solution,” but added that Israel acted in what it considered self-defense. “Based on the first day, their strikes were largely effective,” he said.
The comments came amid increased tensions in the region, following reports that Iranian-U.S. talks scheduled in Muscat were canceled, and Tehran’s publication of what it claims are secret Israeli documents, while accusing IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of colluding with Tel Aviv.
