▲ U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

Pentagon chief-Iran war

Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States has no "definitive" time frame on ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, stressing "we are winning on our terms," while rejecting media speculation that the U.S. is moving toward an "endless abyss" or a "forever war."

Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing, as the U.S. military campaign against Tehran, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," has been in progress for three weeks, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its navy, and deny it any ability to develop nuclear weapons.

"We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame on that, but ... we're on plans," he said, responding to a question about how close the U.S. military is towards achieving its objectives in the operation against the Islamic Republic.

He went on to say that ending the war will be at President Donald Trump's choosing ultimately.

"So no time set on that, but we're very much on track," he said.

Commenting on the Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, Hegseth said Israel "clearly" sent a "warning."

"President Trump was very clear about that Iran has weaponized energy for decades," he said.

"Iran has the ability to make the right choices. It should not (be) going forward ... target Arab allies, Arab countries trying to create pain, the pain that they created themselves."

Noting that the U.S. has struck over 7,000 targets in Iran, and damaged or sunk over 120 Iranian ships, Hegseth warned of continued military strikes on the Middle East country.

"That is not incremental, that is overwhelming force applied with precision," he said of the strikes.

"Again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was. As I've said from Day 1, our capabilities continue to build. Iran's continue to degrade. We're hunting and striking death and destruction from above."

He reiterated that the ongoing operation will not lead to a long-running war like the Iraq war in the 2000s.

"The media here, not all of it, but much of it, wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we're somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or a forever war or a quagmire. Nothing could be further from the truth," he said.

"One of hundreds of thousands who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, who watched previous foolish politicians like Bush, Obama and Biden squander American credibility ... This is not those wars."

The secretary also stressed that America is winning in the conflict.

"We fight to win, and we are winning on our terms following our objectives," he said.

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