Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered some direct advice to the Iranian people, telling them not to protest during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against the country’s government, as reported by The Hill. He emphasized that there will eventually “come a moment” for action, but now isn’t that time.
Hegseth, speaking from U.S. Central Command (Centcom) headquarters in Florida, made it clear that President Trump has done a lot to create opportunities for those who want a free Iran. He echoed President Trump’s advice, stating that people shouldn’t go out and protest while bombs are dropping in Tehran and other areas. Instead, the current message is to “stay in your homes. Keep things calm. Stay out of the way,” as Adm. Brad Cooper, Centcom’s commander, also insisted.
The current military actions by the U.S. and Israel are focused on specific targets. Admiral Cooper clarified that the strikes are hitting the headquarters and individuals who are actively targeting protesters. This strategy, according to Hegseth, is designed to erode the will and capabilities of the regime, ultimately creating an opportunity for the people to “boldly stand up” when the time is right.
The Trump administration is hoping that this sustained pressure on Iran will eventually spark a regime overthrow
Cooper noted that with “a lot of U.S. and Israeli capacity coming over,” and many targets being hit, the best thing for the Iranian people to do right now is “just to lay low.” This advice comes with a heavy historical backdrop, as Iranian citizens have faced brutal crackdowns in the past.
Just in January, an estimated 30,000 Iranians were killed. Millions of protesters in the streets were met with rooftop snipers and trucks mounted with heavy machine guns. To make matters worse, Tehran’s government shut down the internet and other communications, making it incredibly difficult to get information about the situation to the outside world or even within the country.
Hegseth also signaled that Washington is planning to escalate its military actions even further. The conflict will hit the one-week mark on Saturday, but it seems this is just the beginning. He warned, “If you think you’ve seen something, just wait.” He added that the amount of combat power still flowing and coming, which will be projected over Iran, will be “multiples of what it currently is right now” once U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces capabilities are combined.
So, while the immediate message is to exercise caution and avoid the streets, the Defense Secretary believes a moment will arrive when President Trump or the Iranian people themselves determine it’s time to seize the advantage and push for a free Iran.
Published: Mar 6, 2026 07:30 am