Video: Hegseth hails Iran strikes asks ‘ungrateful European allies’ to appreciate Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth has defended the ongoing United States airstrike campaign against Iran, known as “Operation Epic Fury,” while criticising European allies and segments of the U.S. media for their response to the conflict.
The operation, now in its 19th day, has targeted leadership within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia, according to defence officials.
Hegseth, appointed by President Trump in January 2025 and overseeing the Department of Defense—renamed via executive order to emphasise its “war-fighting” role—framed the strikes as a bold stand against Iranian aggression.
“The Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, even segments of our own press should be saying one thing to President Trump. Thank you! Thank you for the courage to stop this terror state from holding the world hostage with missiles while building or attempting to build a nuclear bomb. Thank you for doing the work of the free world,” Hegseth noted.
