The Pentagon has confirmed that the military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran are proceeding according to plan, although no definitive timelines for completion have been established. Defense Secretary Pete Hegset made these remarks during a briefing at the Pentagon on March 19, alongside General Dan Kain, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In response to inquiries from journalists regarding the advancement of U.S. objectives in the military campaign, Hegset emphasized that while clear timelines are not being set, the operations are aligned with strategic goals. He stated,
“We do not want to set specific timelines, but as we have said, we are moving according to plan. We are closely monitoring these indicators and relaying them to the President and the National Security team,”
he remarked.
Hegset acknowledged ongoing discussions about the future of the operation but noted that there is a defined list of objectives for which President Trump has allocated necessary resources. He asserted that the U.S. military personnel involved are among the best in the world, executing their roles effectively.
He further elaborated,
“Rest assured, since we are in a ‘contingency mode,’ this means we have advanced further, and we have a more precise understanding of our targets, making our operations more dynamic. Thanks to improved intelligence, we can identify targets more quickly and strike before or immediately after they are fired upon. We are largely following the plan,”
Hegset stated.
Ultimately, he reiterated that the decision to conclude military operations rests with the U.S. President.
“They believe in this mission, and ultimately, it is the President who will decide when we can say, ‘We have achieved what we wanted on behalf of the American people to ensure our security.’ Therefore, there are no specific timelines, but we are moving in the right direction. Absolutely,”
he added.
Background on U.S.-Israel Military Actions Against Iran
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, prompting President Trump to announce the initiation of a significant military operation against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iranian authorities of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, stating that the operation’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities to prevent global destabilization.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported launching missiles and drones towards Israel, as well as attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In the backdrop of these military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union expressed its unwavering commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the need to give Iranians a chance to rid themselves of what he termed a “terrorist regime” to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On February 28, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Following this, on March 1, the IRGC declared the commencement of the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon its plans, threatening a “very strong response” if they did not.
On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of military operations would be even more devastating. On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iranian leadership, suggesting he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Trump declined to comment on this election, stating only, “We’ll see what happens,” while previously asserting that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
The Pentagon has confirmed that U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran are proceeding according to plan, though no clear end date has been established. Defense Secretary Pete Hegset emphasized the importance of ongoing objectives while noting that final decisions rest with President Trump.