'Iran begged for this ceasefire': US war secretary Hegseth claims Trump chose mercy

US war secretary Hegseth credited Trump for the Iran ceasefire, asserting that Iran ultimately sought it under pressure.

​ US war secretary Hegseth and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (Photo: IANS)

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump, despite having the capability to cripple Iran’s entire economy within minutes, chose restraint and spared the country after it accepted a ceasefire under overwhelming pressure.

"President Trump had the power to cripple Iran's entire economy in minutes, but he chose mercy. He spared those targets because Iran accepted the ceasefire under overwhelming pressure. The new Iranian regime understood that a deal was far better than the fate that awaited them. This new regime just happened to look at what happened to their predecessors," ANI quoted Hegseth as saying.

Hegseth credited Trump for the Iran ceasefire, asserting that Iran ultimately sought it under pressure. "Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it," he said. 

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"Iran has been a threat to the United States and the free world for 47 years... From the strike that took out Qasem Soleimani, to tearing up the disastrous Obama-Iran deal, to the precision campaign that obliterated Iran's nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer, to the decisive military victory we just achieved in Operation Epic Fury. 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," he said. 

Hegseth claimed the US had wiped out Iran’s Air Force and now controls its skies.

"Together with our Israeli partners, America’s military achieved every single objective, on plan, on schedule, exactly as laid out from day one. Iran’s Navy is at the bottom of the sea, whether it’s the Soleimani class, their frigate class, their prized drone aircraft carriers, submarines, or mine layers, all sunk. Iran’s Air Force has been wiped out. Iran no longer has any sort of comprehensive air defense system. We own their skies," he said.

US-Iran Ceasefire agreement

US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, just hours before his 8 pm EST deadline to begin a massive bombing campaign againstIranian infrastructure, in a post on his social media account, announced a temporary halt in military action for two weeks.

Trump has not provided any further details, and the two-week ceasefire is intended to allow time to finalize an agreement as talks continue.

US-Israel vs Iran war

The US-led war against Iran started after Israel and the US launched a surprise attack on Iran on February 28, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian leaders. After the attack, Iran retaliated by launching attacks on US bases and closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes. Iran later allowed a few friendly countries to pass through the strait, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iraq.