Pentagon chief says plans cover Iran strikes to tactical de-escalation

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on May 12 that the Pentagon has plans both for escalating military operations against Iran and for scaling them back if necessary.

The remarks were made during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, which was focused on the Pentagon’s budget for 2027, where lawmakers sought clarification on the costs and legal basis of the conflict, CBS News reports.

Hegseth noted that the administration is prepared for a range of scenarios as fighting with Iran continues despite what he described as a fragile ceasefire.

"We have a plan for all of that," Hegseth said. "We have a plan to escalate if necessary, we have a plan to retrograde if necessary, we have a plan to shift assets."

Hegseth added that he wouldn't reveal any next steps in a public setting, "considering the gravity of the mission that the president is undertaking to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear bomb."

By Jeyhun Aghazada