Pentagon chief on "47 long years" war with Iran: We didn't start it, but we're finishing it
Photo: Pete Hegseth, Pentagon chief (Getty Images)
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has accused Iran of starting a war against the United States, saying it began 47 years ago, according to The Guardian.
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According to the US defense secretary, for “47 long years” the Iranian regime has waged a “savage, one-sided war against America.”
He specified that the conflict unfolded “the blood of our people, car bombs in Beirut, rocket attacks on our ships, murders at our embassies, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it,” Hegseth emphasized.
US operation against Iran
The large-scale US military campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026. The White House justified the launch of hostilities as necessary to neutralize Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as eliminate threats to American bases and allies in the region.
The Pentagon confirmed that although there was no intelligence indicating an imminent Iranian attack immediately before the operation, Iran’s strategic programs posed a critical danger.
During massive air and naval strikes on military facilities and command centers, the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several senior officials was confirmed.
