US Defence Secretary Claims Iran Was Desperate for Ceasefire Deal Amid Trump's Threats

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that Iran made pleas for a ceasefire deal before the deadline imposed by President Donald Trump.

During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Hegseth commented, "No other president has shown the courage and resolve of this commander-in-chief. President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it."

Hegseth further alleged that Iran's missile program has been "functionally destroyed" and its navy is "at the bottom of the sea." He also claimed that Iran's air force has been "wiped out," adding, "We own their skies."

According to Hegseth, the U.S. conducted over 800 strikes against Iran on Tuesday night, which he said completely dismantled Iran's defense industrial base.

"They can no longer build rockets, build launchers or build UAVs. Their factories have been razed to the ground. Set back in historic fashion," Hegseth stated.

Hegseth explained that if Iran had refused Trump's two-week ceasefire proposal, the subsequent U.S. military targets would have included Iran's power plants, bridges, and oil and energy infrastructure.

He added, "Targets they could not defend, and could not realistically rebuild. It would’ve taken them decades and we were locked and loaded. They couldn’t defend against it."

Hegseth claimed that Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, "understood that a deal was far better than the fate that awaited them."

The Defense Secretary also made the assertion that the supreme leader is "wounded and disfigured."

"This new regime is out of options and out of time, so they cut a deal," Hegseth remarked. "They know this agreement means they will never, ever possess a nuclear weapon. Under the terms, any nuclear material they should not have will be removed."

Hegseth also indicated that the U.S. military "will be hanging around. Not going anywhere."

Prior to Hegseth's announcement, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. would "work closely with Iran," that a "very productive" regime change had occurred, and that there would be "no enrichment or Uranium."