WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday he visited the Middle East over the weekend as joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continue.Hegseth said he spent several hours on the ground at U.S. Central Command on Saturday, meeting troops involved in what he described as “Operation Epic Fury.”He did not disclose specific locations visited, citing security concerns.“American firepower is only increasing. Iran’s is decreasing. We have more and more options,” he said during a news conference alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.Hegseth said the United States carried out 200 strikes on Monday night alone.He added that Iran should move toward a deal, saying a diplomatic resolution remains an option.WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday he visited the Middle East over the weekend as joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continue.Hegseth said he spent several hours on the ground at U.S. Central Command on Saturday, meeting troops involved in what he described as “Operation Epic Fury.”He did not disclose specific locations visited, citing security concerns.“American firepower is only increasing. Iran’s is decreasing. We have more and more options,” he said during a news conference alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.Hegseth said the United States carried out 200 strikes on Monday night alone.He added that Iran should move toward a deal, saying a diplomatic resolution remains an option.
