Overview
- At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth touted a joint U.S.–Israeli campaign as “the most lethal and precise airpower” ever, citing B-2s, fighters, drones, missiles and “classified effects” under “maximum authorities.”
- Hegseth insisted the conflict is not a regime‑change war even as he said “the regime sure did change,” following reporting that strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- He pledged “no stupid rules of engagement,” praised Israel as a “capable partner,” and refused to provide a timeline or specifics on potential ground operations or war duration.
- Legal scholars, journalists and former officials warned his comments signal disregard for international humanitarian law, and John Bolton publicly criticized the briefing and the conflicting objectives it conveyed.
- Democratic lawmakers argue the action lacks congressional authorization under the War Powers framework and are preparing measures this week to constrain the president’s ability to continue the campaign.