Pete Hegseth: The 60 Minutes Interview
In a Nutshell
In a 60 Minutes interview, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth details Operation Epic Fury's progress against Iran, with US and Israeli forces striking 3,000 targets using conventional bombs, demanding unconditional surrender to neutralize Iran's nuclear ambitions and 47-year history of anti-US aggression, triggered by confirmed intelligence on Ali Hami. He addresses casualties (7 US deaths, 600+ Iranian including a probed school strike), denies ground troops inside Iran, dismisses Russian intel aid to Iran, and vows to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid stalled oil shipments and ally munitions support. Trump prioritizes American interests without pursuing regime change or nation-building, stiffening resolve to win decisively.
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With US and Israeli strikes on Iran in their second week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is interviewed. Pentagon reports more than 50,000 US military members involved in Operation Epic Fury. CBS News colleague Major Garrett spoke with Hegseth about the war with Iran.
US military struck 3,000 targets inside Iran by Friday. Speaker of the House said, "The mission is nearly accomplished by all estimates." Hegseth: We're on track, on plan. Visited CENTCOM yesterday. Not flying a "mission accomplished" banner like George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier. This is not a fair fight on purpose. US and Israeli Defense Forces air forces are the two most powerful in the world. Using conventional munitions, gravity bombs (500 lb, 1,000 lb, 2,000 lb) on military targets. That effort of the campaign hasn't even really begun.
President said no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender. Hegseth: Means fighting to win, setting the terms. We'll know when they're not capable of fighting, combat ineffective. They will have no choice but to surrender. Surrender can happen in different ways, whether they admit it or not. President Trump will set the terms. Iran president said US demand for unconditional surrender is "a dream that they should take to their grave."
Iran-Iraq war lasted almost 8 years without surrender. Hegseth references long fights in Iraq and Afghanistan with foolish approaches. This is war, bringing enemy to their knees. Whether they have a ceremony in Tehran Square to surrender is up to them.
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