US Was Not Caught Off Guard by Israel-Iran Escalation, Says US Defense Secretary
Hegseth emphasized that the United States is well-prepared to defend its personnel and interests across the region. “We are robustly postured to ensure that our people – our bases, our interests – are safe,” he said. “We will keep Americans safe.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that the United States was not surprised by Israel’s recent large-scale strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military figures, nor by the ensuing escalation between the two countries.
According to a report by CNN’s Alejandra Jaramillo, Hegseth made the comments during a public appearance, stating, “I wouldn’t say we were really surprised by any dynamic of the back and forth. That’s been ongoing, but we’re monitoring it closely.”
Hegseth emphasized that the United States is well-prepared to defend its personnel and interests across the region. “We are robustly postured to ensure that our people – our bases, our interests – are safe,” he said. “We will keep Americans safe. The US is postured to defend our people in the region. We’ve got significant assets in the region.”
The Defense Secretary’s remarks echoed those of President Donald Trump, who in a post on Truth Social, warned that Israel’s next attacks on Iran would be “even more brutal” if no deal is reached.
According to a report from Fox News, Trump stated: “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”
He added that Israeli forces had already inflicted heavy losses: “Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!”
Trump also noted that he had previously cautioned Iran about the capabilities of U.S. and Israeli military technology, stating that Israel possesses large quantities of U.S.-made weapons and “knows how to use it.”
Fox News reported that Israel struck over 100 targets with 200 fighter jets, dropping more than 300 munitions. Among those killed in the attack were senior Iranian figures including General Hossein Salami and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, as well as much of the IRGC’s air force leadership.
While a new round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks had been scheduled to take place in Muscat, Oman over the weekend, it remains unclear whether those talks will proceed following the escalation.
In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of over 100 drones toward Israel on Friday morning, all of which were reportedly intercepted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a key Iranian nuclear site at Natanz was among the primary targets hit during the operation.
The situation continues to evolve amid rising tensions and diplomatic uncertainty.
