Pete Hegseth has warned that the United States is preparing for the largest wave of strikes on Iran so far, reinforcing statements made by Donald Trump that Washington is ready to escalate further if Tehran does not comply with demands.
According to recent reports, Hegseth said that today would see the highest volume of attacks since the beginning of the operation, with even more strikes expected afterward.
This comes after Trump issued a strong ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and warning that failure to comply could lead to massive attacks on infrastructure such as bridges and power plants.
Hegseth emphasized that Trump “is not joking,” referencing previous U.S. actions such as the killing of Qassem Soleimani as proof of the administration’s willingness to act decisively.
At the same time, Iran has warned of “devastating and widespread” retaliation if the U.S. proceeds with further strikes, highlighting the risk of a broader regional conflict.
The situation remains highly volatile, with military escalation continuing alongside limited diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Analysts warn that any large-scale strike could significantly widen the conflict across the Middle East.
