Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran “begged” the US for the ceasefire as he issued a fiery update on the temporary cessation of hostilities with the Islamic Republic.
The American Secretary of War told reporters that Operation Epic Fury had been a “decisive military victory” over Tehran.
On Tuesday night, Donald Trump announced a two-week pause in hostilities between the US and Iran with stipulations that Tehran must abandon its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it,” Mr Hegseth said.
Quoting Mr Trump, the Secretary of War said it was a “big day for world peace” and “that Iran wants it to happen”.
“They’ve had enough,” he insisted, adding that the US leader "chose mercy" in announcing the truce.
Mr Hegseth sought to reinforce US military dominance over Iran, declaring: “Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield.”
He called the campaign “capital V, military victory by any measure”.
“Epic Fury decimated Iran's military and rendered it combat-ineffective for years to come.”
The Secretary of War said that just 10 per cent of US military might was able to “dismantle one of the world's largest militaries, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism”.
He slammed the Islamic regime as “utterly incapable of defending itself, its people, or its territory”.
Outlining the justifications for the war with Iran, Mr Hegseth accused Tehran of “targeting our people, killing Americans, lying and blackmailing their way toward a nuclear weapon.”
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Mr Hegseth was also full of praise for his Commander in Chief, who he said “forged the moment” of America’s apparent military triumph.
“Other presidents mark time and kick the can down the road.
“President Trump made history from the strike that took out Qassem Soleimani to tearing up the disastrous Obama Iran deal.
He hailed Mr Trump’s command over the “precision campaign that obliterated Iran's nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer, to the decisive military victory we just achieved in Operation Epic Fury".
“No other President has shown the courage and resolve of this Commander in Chief. President Trump forged this moment," he added.
Issuing his own update on the ceasefire with Iran, President Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change!
“We are, and will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been agreed to,” the US leader wrote.
Announcing the truce previously, Mr Trump penned: "This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East."
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