US defence secretary: Iran’s military "decimated" as Trump "chose mercy"

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on April 8 that the United States has “decimated Iran’s military,” marking the first time he has spoken publicly since Washington and Tehran agreed to a conditional two‑week ceasefire.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth praised President Donald Trump for shaping the outcome, stating, “President Trump forged this moment, Iran begged for this ceasefire, and we all know it," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Hegseth described Operation Epic Fury as “historic and overwhelming” and said U.S. forces had inflicted significant damage on Iran’s navy and air force.

“The world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism proved utterly incapable of defending itself, its people or its territory,” he added.

Calling the ceasefire a “capital V military victory,” Hegseth said Iran agreed to halt hostilities under “overwhelming pressure” and recognised that further conflict would have targeted its power plants, bridges, and energy infrastructure.

“President Trump had the power to cripple Iran’s entire economy in minutes, but he chose mercy,” he said.

Hegseth also stressed that U.S. troops would remain in place to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and to support further negotiations.

“We’ll stay put, stay ready, stay vigilant,” he said, adding that forces are “ready to re‑start at a moment’s notice.”

On nuclear issues, Hegseth reiterated Washington’s hardline stance.

“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 — any material. Their facilities are deeply buried and watched 24/7 overhead. Trump has been clear from the beginning: there will be no Iranian nuclear weapons. Period. Full stop,” he said.

He concluded by characterising Iran as weakened and strategically constrained:

“The Iranians were humiliated and demoralised. We control their fate, not the other way around. That’s why they came to the table.”

By Sabina Mammadli