US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared on Wednesday that Iran had “begged for this ceasefire” following the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, which he described as a “historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield.”
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth credited President Donald Trump’s leadership for forcing Tehran into submission after weeks of intense US and Israeli military action.
“President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire and we all know it,” Hegseth stated.
“They’ve had enough. Operation Epic Fury was a historic success—a capital-V military victory that decimated Iran’s military capabilities.”
He claimed the operation achieved every objective: destroying Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles and production facilities, sinking or damaging over 120 naval vessels including all 11 submarines, neutralizing air defenses, and permanently denying the regime a path to nuclear weapons.
Operation Epic Fury, launched in late February 2026, involved precision strikes by US Central Command forces targeting Iranian missile sites, drone capabilities, command centers, and naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz region.
Pentagon officials reported a 90% reduction in Iranian ballistic and drone attacks since the operation began.
The campaign, conducted with Israeli coordination, aimed to curb Iran’s regional aggression and proxy networks without committing to a prolonged ground war.
President Trump announced the two-week ceasefire late Tuesday via Truth Social, calling it “a big day for world peace.”
The agreement reportedly includes Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz for safe transit and entering talks, possibly in Islamabad.
Iran has conditionally accepted the pause but frames it as a pragmatic step rather than defeat, with some officials claiming the US adopted elements of a 10-point Iranian proposal.
Critics, including some analysts and Iranian sources, question the “begged” narrative, suggesting mutual exhaustion after escalating strikes that risked broader regional conflict.
Casualties and exact damage assessments remain classified, though both sides claim strategic gains.
The ceasefire provides a temporary de-escalation window amid ongoing diplomatic maneuvering. Hegseth emphasized that US forces remain ready to resume operations if Iran violates terms……See More
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