Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared that he and President Trump are ready to go as far as necessary to bring down the Iranian regime. He openly admitted that the public would be the last to know if American ground troops were deployed. This comes as Operation Epic Fury continues to escalate in the region.
According to the New York Post, Hegseth made these remarks during an interview with Major Garrett. He stated, “We’re willing to go as far as we need in order to be successful.” He also kept all options on the table, including sending “boots on the ground,” saying it would be unwise not to reserve the right to take any particular option.
President Trump had also indicated last week that US forces could be sent into Iran if the situation demanded it. This shows a unified stance from the administration on the ongoing conflict. A key point Hegseth made was about the secrecy surrounding any potential troop deployment.
Hegseth is keeping troop deployment plans away from the public and the press
He told Garrett that if a decision is made to send American troops, whether openly or secretly, it would not be shared with the press. He stated that you don’t reveal operational limits to the enemy, the press, or anyone else. Hegseth has also made headlines for his bizarre advice to Iranian citizens during the active strikes.
Hegseth also warned that casualties are likely to grow as the fighting continues. Seven US service members have already been killed in Iranian retaliatory drone strikes, six Army Reservists in Kuwait, and another who later died from wounds in Saudi Arabia.
He stated that the president has been right to say there will be casualties, as such intense situations don’t happen without them. He added that more casualties are likely, and that “this generation knows what it’s like to see Americans come home in caskets,” but that it “only stiffens their spine and resolve to finish the fight.” Hegseth has also faced scrutiny for dodging questions about Russia’s role in the ongoing conflict.
The six reservists killed were identified as Nicole Amor, 39; Cody Khork, 35; Declan Coady, 20; Robert Marzan, 54; Jeffrey O’Brien, 45; and Noah Tietjens, 42. They were returned home in a transfer ceremony. The seventh service member, whose death was announced, has not yet been publicly named.
Additionally, NYPD Officer and decorated Army veteran Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, died during a health crisis while deployed in Kuwait with the National Guard. His death was separate from the drone attack casualties.
Published: Mar 9, 2026 01:15 pm