1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:09,340 --> 00:00:12,350 Well , good morning . I stand before 3 00:00:12,350 --> 00:00:15,710 you today with one unmistakable message 4 00:00:15,710 --> 00:00:19,629 about Operation Epic Fury . America is 5 00:00:19,629 --> 00:00:22,459 winning decisively , devastatingly , 6 00:00:22,469 --> 00:00:25,969 and without mercy . Under the direct 7 00:00:25,969 --> 00:00:28,025 command of President Trump , the War 8 00:00:28,025 --> 00:00:30,025 Department unleashed this operation 9 00:00:30,025 --> 00:00:33,659 early Saturday morning . Just 4 days 10 00:00:33,659 --> 00:00:37,069 ago . Which means we need to remember 11 00:00:37,250 --> 00:00:40,990 two things . First , we are only 12 00:00:41,299 --> 00:00:44,279 4 days into this . Metrics are shifting , 13 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:46,527 dust is settling , and more forces are 14 00:00:46,527 --> 00:00:48,650 arriving . It's very early . And as 15 00:00:48,650 --> 00:00:50,872 President Trump has said , we will take 16 00:00:50,872 --> 00:00:53,039 all the time we need to make sure that 17 00:00:53,039 --> 00:00:56,549 we succeed . Second , We are 18 00:00:56,549 --> 00:01:00,009 only 4 days into this . And the 19 00:01:00,009 --> 00:01:03,159 results have been incredible , historic , 20 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,480 really . Only , only the United States 21 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,279 of America could lead this , only us . 22 00:01:09,059 --> 00:01:11,150 But when you add the Israeli Defense 23 00:01:11,150 --> 00:01:13,930 Forces , a devastatingly capable force , 24 00:01:14,309 --> 00:01:16,790 the combination is sheer destruction 25 00:01:17,230 --> 00:01:19,330 for our radical Islamist Iranian 26 00:01:19,330 --> 00:01:23,169 adversaries . They are toast And they 27 00:01:23,169 --> 00:01:26,370 know it . Or at least soon enough , 28 00:01:26,610 --> 00:01:28,879 they will know it . And we have only 29 00:01:28,879 --> 00:01:31,269 just begun to hunt , dismantle , 30 00:01:31,550 --> 00:01:34,790 demoralize , destroy , and defeat their 31 00:01:34,790 --> 00:01:37,660 capabilities just 4 days in . 32 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:42,662 Starting last night and to be completed 33 00:01:42,662 --> 00:01:45,940 in a few days , in under a week . The 34 00:01:45,940 --> 00:01:47,940 two most powerful air forces in the 35 00:01:47,940 --> 00:01:50,639 world will have complete control of 36 00:01:50,639 --> 00:01:53,400 Iranian skies , uncontested airspace . 37 00:01:54,290 --> 00:01:56,068 I hope all the folks watching . 38 00:01:56,620 --> 00:01:58,980 Understand what uncontested airspace 39 00:01:58,980 --> 00:02:02,099 and complete control means . It means 40 00:02:02,099 --> 00:02:05,779 we will fly all day , all night , day 41 00:02:05,779 --> 00:02:07,819 and night , finding , fixing and 42 00:02:07,819 --> 00:02:09,940 finishing the missiles and defense 43 00:02:09,940 --> 00:02:12,273 industrial base of the Iranian military , 44 00:02:12,273 --> 00:02:15,660 finding and fixing their leaders and 45 00:02:15,660 --> 00:02:17,820 their military leaders , flying over 46 00:02:17,820 --> 00:02:21,389 Tehran . Flying over Iran , flying over 47 00:02:21,389 --> 00:02:24,089 their capital , flying over the IRGC . 48 00:02:24,809 --> 00:02:28,740 Iranian leaders Looking up And 49 00:02:28,740 --> 00:02:31,600 seeing only US and Israeli airpower . 50 00:02:33,479 --> 00:02:36,720 Every minute of every day until we 51 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,539 decide it's over . And Iran will be 52 00:02:40,539 --> 00:02:43,880 able to do nothing about it . B-2s , 53 00:02:43,970 --> 00:02:46,389 B-52s , B-1s , Predator drones , 54 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,509 fighters controlling the skies , 55 00:02:48,759 --> 00:02:51,860 picking targets . Death and destruction 56 00:02:52,279 --> 00:02:55,199 from the sky all day long . 57 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:58,729 We're playing for keeps . Our 58 00:02:58,729 --> 00:03:00,785 warfighters have maximum authorities 59 00:03:00,785 --> 00:03:03,007 granted personally by the president and 60 00:03:03,007 --> 00:03:05,118 yours truly . Our rules of engagement 61 00:03:05,118 --> 00:03:08,210 are bold , precise , and designed to 62 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:10,543 unleash American power , not shackle it . 63 00:03:11,449 --> 00:03:14,210 This was never meant to be a fair fight . 64 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,009 And it is not a fair fight . We are 65 00:03:18,009 --> 00:03:19,953 punching them while they're down . 66 00:03:20,490 --> 00:03:22,490 Which is exactly how it should be . 67 00:03:23,839 --> 00:03:25,960 Thus far , Operation Epic Fury has 68 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,071 delivered twice the airpower of shock 69 00:03:28,071 --> 00:03:31,880 and awe of Iraq in 2003 minus 70 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,119 Paul Bremer and the nation building . 71 00:03:35,389 --> 00:03:38,110 The campaign has 7 times the intensity 72 00:03:38,110 --> 00:03:40,332 of Israel's previous operations against 73 00:03:40,332 --> 00:03:42,910 Iran during the 12 Day War , 7 times . 74 00:03:44,369 --> 00:03:46,729 And as President Trump said , more and 75 00:03:46,729 --> 00:03:49,110 larger waves are coming . We are just 76 00:03:49,289 --> 00:03:51,990 getting started . We are accelerating , 77 00:03:52,210 --> 00:03:54,970 not decelerating . Iran's capabilities 78 00:03:54,970 --> 00:03:56,910 are evaporating by the hour while 79 00:03:56,910 --> 00:03:58,799 American strength grows fiercer , 80 00:03:58,799 --> 00:04:00,910 smarter , and utterly dominant . More 81 00:04:00,910 --> 00:04:03,490 bombers and more fighters are arriving 82 00:04:03,490 --> 00:04:07,449 just today . And now with complete 83 00:04:07,449 --> 00:04:10,110 control of the skies . We will be using 84 00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:13,809 500 pound , 1000 pound , and 2000 pound 85 00:04:13,809 --> 00:04:17,029 GPS and laser guided precision gravity 86 00:04:17,029 --> 00:04:20,010 bombs . Of which we have a nearly 87 00:04:20,010 --> 00:04:23,059 unlimited stockpile . We used more 88 00:04:23,059 --> 00:04:25,390 exquisite standoff munitions at the 89 00:04:25,390 --> 00:04:27,769 start but no longer need to . Our 90 00:04:27,769 --> 00:04:29,670 stockpiles of those , as well as 91 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:32,429 Patriots , remains extremely strong . 92 00:04:33,690 --> 00:04:35,579 The enemy can no longer shoot the 93 00:04:35,579 --> 00:04:37,746 volume of missiles they once did , not 94 00:04:37,746 --> 00:04:39,912 even close , and the chairman will lay 95 00:04:39,912 --> 00:04:42,079 out some of those percentages . So our 96 00:04:42,079 --> 00:04:44,079 air defenses and that of our allies 97 00:04:44,079 --> 00:04:46,850 have plenty of runway . We can sustain 98 00:04:46,850 --> 00:04:50,049 this fight easily for as long as we 99 00:04:50,049 --> 00:04:53,950 need to . And as I said yesterday , We 100 00:04:53,950 --> 00:04:56,720 set the terms Now you may not see much 101 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:58,799 of it because the IRGC shut off the 102 00:04:58,799 --> 00:05:01,132 internet to the entirety of the country . 103 00:05:01,132 --> 00:05:03,339 They blind their people on purpose , 104 00:05:03,799 --> 00:05:05,920 just like they kill their own on 105 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,049 purpose . Much was made of the volume 106 00:05:09,049 --> 00:05:11,160 of missiles Iran was able to shoot in 107 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,690 the first few days , and sadly , as we 108 00:05:13,690 --> 00:05:16,929 projected . If you got through And 109 00:05:16,929 --> 00:05:19,929 killed 6 of our best who will hopefully 110 00:05:19,929 --> 00:05:23,320 arrive home soon . We will avenge them 111 00:05:24,269 --> 00:05:28,029 No doubt . But I liken Iran's 112 00:05:28,029 --> 00:05:30,350 predicament to a football team who 113 00:05:30,350 --> 00:05:32,461 scripted the 1st 20 plays of a game . 114 00:05:33,170 --> 00:05:35,392 The team knew what plays to run because 115 00:05:35,392 --> 00:05:37,559 their first few drives were scripted . 116 00:05:38,589 --> 00:05:40,811 But now that the game has started , and 117 00:05:40,811 --> 00:05:43,429 the blitz is on . They don't know what 118 00:05:43,429 --> 00:05:45,651 plays to call , let alone how to get in 119 00:05:45,651 --> 00:05:47,540 the huddle and call those plays . 120 00:05:48,959 --> 00:05:51,790 Iran's senior leaders are dead . The 121 00:05:51,790 --> 00:05:53,957 so-called governing council that might 122 00:05:53,957 --> 00:05:55,790 have selected a successor dead . 123 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:58,444 Missing or cowering in bunkers too 124 00:05:58,444 --> 00:06:00,722 terrified to even occupy the same room . 125 00:06:01,540 --> 00:06:03,596 Senior generals , mid-level officers 126 00:06:03,596 --> 00:06:05,596 enlisted ranks , they can't talk or 127 00:06:05,596 --> 00:06:07,373 communicate , let alone mount a 128 00:06:07,373 --> 00:06:09,484 coordinated and sustained offensive . 129 00:06:09,820 --> 00:06:12,750 That's not great for morale . The 130 00:06:12,750 --> 00:06:15,859 Iranian Air Force is no more built for 131 00:06:15,859 --> 00:06:19,239 1996 , destroyed in 2026 . 132 00:06:20,339 --> 00:06:22,579 The Iranian navy rests at the bottom of 133 00:06:22,579 --> 00:06:25,640 the Persian Gulf . Combat ineffective , 134 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,799 decimated , destroyed , defeated , pick 135 00:06:28,799 --> 00:06:31,019 your adjective . In fact , last night 136 00:06:31,519 --> 00:06:34,029 we sunk their prize ship . The 137 00:06:34,029 --> 00:06:37,910 Soleimani Looks like POTUS got him 138 00:06:37,910 --> 00:06:41,179 twice . Their navy not a factor . Pick 139 00:06:41,179 --> 00:06:43,489 your adjective , it is no more . In 140 00:06:43,489 --> 00:06:46,380 fact , yesterday in the Indian Ocean . 141 00:06:47,299 --> 00:06:49,521 And we'll play it on the screen there . 142 00:06:49,521 --> 00:06:52,010 An American submarine sunk an Iranian 143 00:06:52,010 --> 00:06:55,220 warship that thought it was safe in 144 00:06:55,220 --> 00:06:57,790 international waters . Instead it was 145 00:06:57,790 --> 00:07:00,750 sunk by a torpedo , quiet death . 146 00:07:01,769 --> 00:07:03,991 The first sinking of an enemy ship by a 147 00:07:03,991 --> 00:07:07,160 torpedo since World War II . Like in 148 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,399 that war , back when we were still the 149 00:07:09,399 --> 00:07:12,529 War Department . We are fighting to win . 150 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,769 Also yesterday , the leader of the unit 151 00:07:16,769 --> 00:07:18,936 who attempted to assassinate President 152 00:07:18,936 --> 00:07:21,429 Trump has been hunted down and killed . 153 00:07:22,540 --> 00:07:25,179 Iran tried to kill President Trump and 154 00:07:25,179 --> 00:07:27,235 President Trump got the last laugh . 155 00:07:27,899 --> 00:07:31,230 Now , This is not a mission 156 00:07:31,230 --> 00:07:35,040 accomplished situation . This is 157 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,029 simply a reality check . The 158 00:07:38,029 --> 00:07:40,190 combination of US and Israeli 159 00:07:40,190 --> 00:07:42,910 intelligence and combat power will 160 00:07:42,910 --> 00:07:45,790 control Iran . And we'll control it 161 00:07:45,790 --> 00:07:48,640 soon . Sure , Iran will still be able 162 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,850 to shoot some missiles . And still be 163 00:07:50,850 --> 00:07:53,072 able to launch one-way attack drones at 164 00:07:53,072 --> 00:07:55,128 civilian targets , and their proxies 165 00:07:55,128 --> 00:07:57,294 will attempt to attack our embassies , 166 00:07:57,294 --> 00:07:59,649 bases and soft targets . They are 167 00:07:59,660 --> 00:08:02,690 terrorists after all . And they need to 168 00:08:02,690 --> 00:08:05,350 target civilians . Because they can't 169 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:07,350 fight toe to toe , but we will find 170 00:08:07,350 --> 00:08:09,390 them . And we will kill them 171 00:08:11,299 --> 00:08:13,299 This is what the fake news misses . 172 00:08:14,410 --> 00:08:16,577 We've taken control of Iran's airspace 173 00:08:16,577 --> 00:08:19,049 and waterways without boots on the 174 00:08:19,049 --> 00:08:22,760 ground . We control their fate But when 175 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,739 a few drones get through , Or tragic 176 00:08:25,739 --> 00:08:28,679 things happen . It's front page news . 177 00:08:29,140 --> 00:08:31,362 I get it . The press only wants to make 178 00:08:31,362 --> 00:08:33,418 the president look bad , but try for 179 00:08:33,418 --> 00:08:36,098 once to report the reality . The terms 180 00:08:36,098 --> 00:08:38,879 of this war will be set by us at every 181 00:08:38,879 --> 00:08:41,960 step . As I said Monday , the mission 182 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:45,539 is laser focused . Obliterate Iran's 183 00:08:45,539 --> 00:08:47,761 missiles and drones and facilities that 184 00:08:47,761 --> 00:08:49,928 produce them , annihilate its navy and 185 00:08:49,928 --> 00:08:52,095 critical security infrastructure , and 186 00:08:52,095 --> 00:08:54,372 sever their pathway to nuclear weapons . 187 00:08:54,372 --> 00:08:56,650 Iran will never possess a nuclear bomb , 188 00:08:57,020 --> 00:09:00,330 not on our watch , not ever . And this 189 00:09:00,330 --> 00:09:02,497 is why President Trump's moral clarity 190 00:09:02,497 --> 00:09:05,280 on Iran today is so vital . Unlike the 191 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,447 past where vague red lines and endless 192 00:09:07,447 --> 00:09:09,760 negotiations let Iran fund terror and 193 00:09:09,919 --> 00:09:12,200 inch ever so slightly toward a bomb . 194 00:09:13,039 --> 00:09:15,206 This president sees the threat plainly 195 00:09:15,206 --> 00:09:17,150 and acts decisively . No more half 196 00:09:17,150 --> 00:09:19,261 measures , especially when Iran is at 197 00:09:19,261 --> 00:09:21,979 its weakest . No more letting Tehran 198 00:09:21,979 --> 00:09:24,146 play for time while our people pay the 199 00:09:24,146 --> 00:09:26,869 price . His leadership ensures that we 200 00:09:26,869 --> 00:09:29,250 finish what we start . And that we 201 00:09:29,250 --> 00:09:31,489 protect our warfighters by crushing the 202 00:09:31,489 --> 00:09:33,750 enemy before they can strike again . 203 00:09:34,770 --> 00:09:36,729 Our offensive operations refined 204 00:09:36,729 --> 00:09:38,340 through months of relentless 205 00:09:38,340 --> 00:09:41,880 preparation are unstoppable . And our 206 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,669 defensive efforts . Are unprecedented 207 00:09:45,630 --> 00:09:47,352 We have from the start put the 208 00:09:47,352 --> 00:09:49,241 protection of our troops ahead of 209 00:09:50,179 --> 00:09:53,460 everything else . Before we very 210 00:09:53,460 --> 00:09:55,539 publicly built up offensive combat 211 00:09:55,539 --> 00:09:58,619 power . We quietly ensured that our 212 00:09:58,619 --> 00:10:01,059 defensive posture and power was in 213 00:10:01,059 --> 00:10:03,750 place . And as we built up offensive 214 00:10:03,750 --> 00:10:05,583 combat power , we moved the vast 215 00:10:05,583 --> 00:10:08,630 majority of American troops , over 90% 216 00:10:08,630 --> 00:10:10,741 of Americans that were on our bases , 217 00:10:10,789 --> 00:10:13,590 what we say off the X . Out of the 218 00:10:13,590 --> 00:10:17,219 range of Iranian fire . Our defensive 219 00:10:17,219 --> 00:10:19,669 shield is equally formidable , the most 220 00:10:19,669 --> 00:10:21,780 sophisticated air and missile defense 221 00:10:21,780 --> 00:10:23,909 network ever fielded . Thousands of 222 00:10:23,909 --> 00:10:26,020 Iranian missiles and drones have been 223 00:10:26,020 --> 00:10:28,590 intercepted and vaporized . Tens of 224 00:10:28,590 --> 00:10:31,099 thousands of American and allied lives 225 00:10:31,109 --> 00:10:33,640 protected . We have pushed every 226 00:10:33,710 --> 00:10:35,710 counter UAS system possible forward 227 00:10:35,710 --> 00:10:39,039 sparing no expense or capability . And 228 00:10:39,039 --> 00:10:41,261 like I said , this does not mean we can 229 00:10:41,261 --> 00:10:43,372 stop everything . But we ensured that 230 00:10:43,372 --> 00:10:45,206 the maximum possible defense and 231 00:10:45,206 --> 00:10:47,317 maximum possible force protection was 232 00:10:47,317 --> 00:10:51,219 set up before we went on offense . In 233 00:10:51,219 --> 00:10:53,108 closing , as President Trump told 234 00:10:53,419 --> 00:10:55,419 German Chancellor Mertz yesterday . 235 00:10:55,909 --> 00:10:58,840 Iran negotiated in bad faith , stalling , 236 00:10:58,909 --> 00:11:00,965 scheming , and preparing to strike . 237 00:11:01,369 --> 00:11:03,849 And we acted decisively to defend our 238 00:11:03,849 --> 00:11:06,510 people , our interests , and our allies . 239 00:11:07,409 --> 00:11:09,353 President Trump took bold action . 240 00:11:09,750 --> 00:11:11,750 Putting America first , the kind of 241 00:11:11,750 --> 00:11:13,969 bold action that the American people 242 00:11:14,109 --> 00:11:17,159 elected him to execute . To our 243 00:11:17,159 --> 00:11:20,830 steadfast partner Israel . Your mission 244 00:11:21,169 --> 00:11:23,450 is being executed with unmatched skill 245 00:11:23,450 --> 00:11:25,969 and iron determination . Fighting 246 00:11:25,969 --> 00:11:27,802 shoulder to shoulder with such a 247 00:11:27,802 --> 00:11:31,270 capable ally is a true force multiplier 248 00:11:31,609 --> 00:11:35,109 and a breath of fresh air . We salute 249 00:11:35,109 --> 00:11:37,650 your courage And your contribution . 250 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,400 4 days in , we have only just 251 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:46,210 begun to fight . America fights to win 252 00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:49,700 And in Operation Epic Fury we are . 253 00:11:50,789 --> 00:11:53,010 May God's providence cover and protect 254 00:11:53,349 --> 00:11:56,469 our troops always . And with that , I 255 00:11:56,469 --> 00:11:58,525 turn it over to the chairman . Thank 256 00:11:58,525 --> 00:12:00,858 you , Mr . Secretary , and good morning , 257 00:12:00,858 --> 00:12:00,799 everyone . Thank you for being here . 258 00:12:00,909 --> 00:12:03,076 I'm here today to provide the American 259 00:12:03,076 --> 00:12:05,298 people and those of you in this room an 260 00:12:05,298 --> 00:12:08,130 update on Operation Epic Fury . First , 261 00:12:08,390 --> 00:12:10,409 it's with profound sadness and 262 00:12:10,409 --> 00:12:13,590 gratitude that I share the names of 4 263 00:12:13,590 --> 00:12:16,590 of our six fallen heroes , all from the 264 00:12:16,590 --> 00:12:20,229 103rd Sustainment Command . US Army 265 00:12:20,229 --> 00:12:22,229 Reserves out of Des Moines , Iowa . 266 00:12:22,590 --> 00:12:25,309 Captain Cody Cork , Sergeant First 267 00:12:25,309 --> 00:12:28,190 Class Noah Tegens , Sergeant First 268 00:12:28,190 --> 00:12:31,590 Class Nicole Ammo , and Sergeant Declan 269 00:12:31,590 --> 00:12:34,770 Cody . To the families of our fallen , 270 00:12:35,020 --> 00:12:37,469 we grieve with you today and we look 271 00:12:37,469 --> 00:12:39,302 forward to welcoming your family 272 00:12:39,302 --> 00:12:41,510 members home at Dover in the coming 273 00:12:41,510 --> 00:12:44,390 days . Out of respect for the other 274 00:12:44,390 --> 00:12:46,501 families , we'll withhold the release 275 00:12:46,501 --> 00:12:48,909 of their names until next of kin 276 00:12:48,909 --> 00:12:52,059 notification is complete , and either 277 00:12:52,059 --> 00:12:54,469 myself or Admiral Cooper will release 278 00:12:54,469 --> 00:12:56,650 those names as soon as we can ensure 279 00:12:56,650 --> 00:12:58,706 that all of those families have been 280 00:12:58,706 --> 00:13:01,090 properly notified . To our Gold Star 281 00:13:01,090 --> 00:13:03,650 families , to our wounded warriors and 282 00:13:03,650 --> 00:13:06,309 their loved ones , we will never forget 283 00:13:06,450 --> 00:13:09,250 your sacrifice . Our nation stands with 284 00:13:09,250 --> 00:13:11,472 you , and we are eternally grateful for 285 00:13:11,472 --> 00:13:14,250 your courage , your resiliency , your 286 00:13:14,250 --> 00:13:16,520 devotion to this mission and to our 287 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,119 nation . As the Secretary said , we're 288 00:13:19,119 --> 00:13:21,880 4 days in , 103 hours into this 289 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:23,919 campaign . The operation was again 290 00:13:23,919 --> 00:13:26,141 launched with clear military objectives 291 00:13:26,141 --> 00:13:28,500 designed to dismantle Iran's ability to 292 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:30,556 project power outside of its borders 293 00:13:30,556 --> 00:13:33,419 both today and in the future . First , 294 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:35,742 we are targeting and eliminating Iran's 295 00:13:35,742 --> 00:13:37,798 ballistic missile systems to prevent 296 00:13:37,798 --> 00:13:40,280 them from threatening the US forces , 297 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:42,718 partners , and interests in the region . 298 00:13:42,799 --> 00:13:44,966 Second , we are destroying the Iranian 299 00:13:44,966 --> 00:13:46,743 navy , degrading its capacity , 300 00:13:46,799 --> 00:13:49,650 capability . Uh , and ability to 301 00:13:49,650 --> 00:13:52,409 conduct operations , not just in the 302 00:13:52,409 --> 00:13:54,520 Central Command AOR but as the 303 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:56,576 Secretary showed in the video around 304 00:13:56,576 --> 00:13:59,090 the world . Third , we're ensuring Iran 305 00:13:59,090 --> 00:14:02,390 cannot rapidly rebuild or reconstitute 306 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,729 its combat capability or combat power , 307 00:14:05,770 --> 00:14:08,820 and those phases will begin as the 308 00:14:08,820 --> 00:14:11,609 campaign continues . As of this morning , 309 00:14:11,989 --> 00:14:14,049 uh , US Central Command is making 310 00:14:14,049 --> 00:14:16,929 steady progress . Iran's theater 311 00:14:16,929 --> 00:14:19,909 ballistic missile shots fired are down 312 00:14:19,909 --> 00:14:23,260 86% from the first day of fighting , 313 00:14:23,489 --> 00:14:27,369 with a 23% decrease just in the last 24 314 00:14:27,369 --> 00:14:30,049 hours , and their one-way attack drone 315 00:14:30,049 --> 00:14:33,820 shots are down 73% from the opening 316 00:14:33,820 --> 00:14:37,039 days . This progress has allowed CEO to 317 00:14:37,039 --> 00:14:40,520 establish localized air superiority 318 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,353 across the southern flank of the 319 00:14:42,353 --> 00:14:44,830 Iranian coast and penetrate their 320 00:14:44,830 --> 00:14:47,359 defenses with overwhelming precision 321 00:14:47,359 --> 00:14:50,474 and firepower . We will now begin . To 322 00:14:50,474 --> 00:14:53,965 expand inland , striking progressively 323 00:14:53,965 --> 00:14:56,684 deeper into Iranian territory and 324 00:14:56,684 --> 00:14:59,125 creating additional freedom of maneuver 325 00:14:59,125 --> 00:15:02,125 for US forces . Let me explain a little 326 00:15:02,125 --> 00:15:04,069 bit about how we're thinking about 327 00:15:04,069 --> 00:15:06,465 staying ahead of the enemy . First , 328 00:15:06,565 --> 00:15:08,676 over the past several weeks , Admiral 329 00:15:08,676 --> 00:15:10,509 Cooper and the CENTCOM team have 330 00:15:10,509 --> 00:15:12,621 refined their operational approach to 331 00:15:12,621 --> 00:15:15,630 the region . Their planners identified 332 00:15:15,630 --> 00:15:18,869 key centers of gravity that would allow 333 00:15:18,869 --> 00:15:21,590 Iran to project power outside of its 334 00:15:21,590 --> 00:15:23,710 borders . They thought about how to 335 00:15:23,710 --> 00:15:26,030 isolate critical vulnerabilities and 336 00:15:26,030 --> 00:15:29,309 determined where with precision , the 337 00:15:29,309 --> 00:15:31,710 greatest strategic effect could be 338 00:15:31,710 --> 00:15:33,849 achieved . As a result of this , 339 00:15:33,929 --> 00:15:36,989 CENTCOM is now shifting in day 4 340 00:15:36,989 --> 00:15:39,650 already from large deliberate strike 341 00:15:39,650 --> 00:15:42,369 packages using standoff munitions at 342 00:15:42,369 --> 00:15:45,010 range outside an enemy's ability to 343 00:15:45,010 --> 00:15:48,669 shoot at us now into stand-in precision 344 00:15:49,289 --> 00:15:52,835 strikes over . Phead , Iran , as the 345 00:15:52,835 --> 00:15:54,835 Secretary said , this is a point of 346 00:15:54,835 --> 00:15:57,195 munitions transition from standoff 347 00:15:57,195 --> 00:16:00,234 munitions to stand-in munitions like 348 00:16:00,234 --> 00:16:02,345 joint direct attack munitions , which 349 00:16:02,345 --> 00:16:05,594 are GPS aided free fall weapons and 350 00:16:05,594 --> 00:16:07,955 other things like hellfires , etc . 351 00:16:08,919 --> 00:16:11,349 This will allow the joint force to 352 00:16:11,349 --> 00:16:13,960 deliver significantly increased 353 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,440 precision effects on the target . The 354 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,200 throttle is coming up , as the 355 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,880 Secretary said , as opposed to ramping 356 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:23,080 down . This will allow us to maintain 357 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:25,479 consistent pressure on the adversary 358 00:16:25,479 --> 00:16:27,535 over the coming days , disrupt their 359 00:16:27,535 --> 00:16:29,535 launch timelines , and impose costs 360 00:16:29,535 --> 00:16:31,869 every day around the clock . I know 361 00:16:31,869 --> 00:16:33,813 there have been a lot of questions 362 00:16:33,813 --> 00:16:36,530 about munitions . We have sufficient 363 00:16:36,530 --> 00:16:38,719 precision munitions for the task at 364 00:16:38,719 --> 00:16:41,030 hand , both on the offense and defense . 365 00:16:41,380 --> 00:16:43,602 But I want to tell you , teammates , as 366 00:16:43,602 --> 00:16:45,769 a matter of practice , I don't want to 367 00:16:45,769 --> 00:16:47,769 be talking about quantities . And I 368 00:16:47,769 --> 00:16:49,936 know there's been a great debate about 369 00:16:49,936 --> 00:16:49,929 that , and I appreciate the interest , 370 00:16:50,039 --> 00:16:52,530 but just know that we consider that an 371 00:16:52,530 --> 00:16:54,586 operational security matter . Let me 372 00:16:54,586 --> 00:16:56,641 flip to the map here . Hopefully , I 373 00:16:56,641 --> 00:16:58,974 don't kill anybody with a laser pointer . 374 00:16:58,974 --> 00:17:02,179 Um , Uh , as I mentioned earlier and uh 375 00:17:02,179 --> 00:17:04,290 for you with the camera right there , 376 00:17:04,290 --> 00:17:06,512 my friend , I hope I don't ricochet off 377 00:17:06,512 --> 00:17:08,679 and hurt you . Over the initial days , 378 00:17:08,679 --> 00:17:11,020 the US Joint Forces continued to attack 379 00:17:11,020 --> 00:17:14,300 and a ballistic missile capabilities as 380 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:16,022 well as integrated air defense 381 00:17:16,022 --> 00:17:18,189 capabilities along the southern axis . 382 00:17:18,390 --> 00:17:20,660 Along the northern axis , Israel and 383 00:17:20,660 --> 00:17:22,882 the Israeli Air Force has predominantly 384 00:17:22,882 --> 00:17:24,882 been working integrated air defense 385 00:17:24,882 --> 00:17:27,339 targets along the northern flank , as 386 00:17:27,339 --> 00:17:29,493 well as . Medium range ballistic 387 00:17:29,493 --> 00:17:32,093 missile capability as well . From the 388 00:17:32,093 --> 00:17:34,453 sea , the USS Ford has continued to 389 00:17:34,453 --> 00:17:36,932 project combat power here , as well as 390 00:17:36,932 --> 00:17:39,532 the bomber pulses that we talked about 391 00:17:39,532 --> 00:17:41,802 in the , uh , in the opening days of , 392 00:17:41,812 --> 00:17:43,973 uh , of this briefing . Along the 393 00:17:43,973 --> 00:17:46,812 southern axis , uh , the USS Abraham 394 00:17:46,812 --> 00:17:48,923 Lincoln strike group has continued to 395 00:17:48,923 --> 00:17:51,206 provide pressure . Uh , from the sea 396 00:17:51,206 --> 00:17:53,286 along the southeastern side of the 397 00:17:53,286 --> 00:17:55,566 coast and has been a treading naval 398 00:17:55,566 --> 00:17:58,005 capability all along the strait and up 399 00:17:58,005 --> 00:18:00,595 into the Arabian Gulf at a size and 400 00:18:00,595 --> 00:18:03,086 scale sufficiently , uh , to address 401 00:18:03,086 --> 00:18:05,485 the targets , uh , required . To date , 402 00:18:05,526 --> 00:18:07,595 we've hit over 2000 targets , as 403 00:18:07,595 --> 00:18:10,526 Admiral Cooper said in his video last 404 00:18:10,526 --> 00:18:13,630 night . We've destroyed more than 20 405 00:18:13,630 --> 00:18:16,099 Iranian naval vessels , including , in 406 00:18:16,099 --> 00:18:19,540 addition to the frigate outside of the 407 00:18:19,540 --> 00:18:23,060 area , one submarine , and effectively 408 00:18:23,060 --> 00:18:25,369 neutralized at this point in time 409 00:18:25,670 --> 00:18:28,989 Iran's major naval presence in theater 410 00:18:28,989 --> 00:18:31,709 out there . Um , as the secretary 411 00:18:31,709 --> 00:18:33,709 showed the video for the first time 412 00:18:33,709 --> 00:18:36,869 since 1945 , a United States Navy fast 413 00:18:36,869 --> 00:18:38,813 attack submarine has sunk an enemy 414 00:18:38,813 --> 00:18:41,270 combatant ship , uh , using a single 415 00:18:41,270 --> 00:18:43,910 Mark 48 torpedo to achieve immediate 416 00:18:43,910 --> 00:18:45,910 effect , sending the warship to the 417 00:18:45,910 --> 00:18:47,966 bottom of the sea . I want to remind 418 00:18:47,966 --> 00:18:50,021 everybody that this is an incredible 419 00:18:50,021 --> 00:18:52,243 demonstration of America's global reach 420 00:18:52,243 --> 00:18:54,243 to hunt , find , and kill an out of 421 00:18:54,243 --> 00:18:56,299 area deployer is something that only 422 00:18:56,299 --> 00:18:58,410 the United States can do at this type 423 00:18:58,410 --> 00:19:01,160 of scale . Over the next 24 to 48 hours , 424 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,058 CENTCOM will continue to strike 425 00:19:03,058 --> 00:19:05,169 infrastructure and naval capability , 426 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:07,640 and we'll continue to assess our 427 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,307 progress against the military 428 00:19:09,307 --> 00:19:11,469 objectives . It does take time for us 429 00:19:11,469 --> 00:19:13,680 to collect that information and to 430 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,579 assess en route . Much of our 431 00:19:15,579 --> 00:19:17,468 intelligence , surveillance , and 432 00:19:17,468 --> 00:19:20,040 reconnaissance capability is currently 433 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,160 hunting and killing , uh , ballistic 434 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,160 missile launchers in one-way attack 435 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:26,959 capability . We're precise in that 436 00:19:26,959 --> 00:19:28,903 assessment , and we call balls and 437 00:19:28,903 --> 00:19:31,410 strikes in that assessment . Uh , we , 438 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:33,782 we take , we take , uh , we take that , 439 00:19:33,782 --> 00:19:36,520 that , that matter seriously . Iran , 440 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:38,171 on the other hand , has been 441 00:19:38,171 --> 00:19:40,227 indiscriminate and more imprecise in 442 00:19:40,227 --> 00:19:42,282 their attacks . They fired more than 443 00:19:42,282 --> 00:19:44,338 500 ballistic missiles and more than 444 00:19:44,338 --> 00:19:46,479 2000 drones , striking innocent 445 00:19:46,479 --> 00:19:48,757 civilian targets throughout the region . 446 00:19:48,757 --> 00:19:51,579 Our partners are answering the call to 447 00:19:51,579 --> 00:19:54,300 defend themselves right alongside us . 448 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:56,979 Jordan , Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , the 449 00:19:56,979 --> 00:19:59,300 UAE , Qatar , and Kuwait are all 450 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:01,411 defending their people with their own 451 00:20:01,411 --> 00:20:03,979 combat capability , with precision and 452 00:20:03,979 --> 00:20:06,739 restraint . Jordanian air defense crews 453 00:20:06,739 --> 00:20:08,660 recently intercepted a cluster of 454 00:20:08,660 --> 00:20:11,140 Iranian one-way attack drones headed to 455 00:20:11,140 --> 00:20:14,069 Amman . Bahrain's air defense forces 456 00:20:14,069 --> 00:20:16,236 shot down an inbound drone approaching 457 00:20:16,236 --> 00:20:18,180 Manama's maritime infrastructure , 458 00:20:18,390 --> 00:20:20,446 protecting both their population and 459 00:20:20,446 --> 00:20:22,790 critical shipping lanes . Saudi Patriot 460 00:20:22,790 --> 00:20:25,270 batteries stopped a salvo of ballistic 461 00:20:25,270 --> 00:20:27,430 missiles aimed at energy facilities 462 00:20:27,430 --> 00:20:30,790 near Dahran . The UAE neutralized 463 00:20:30,790 --> 00:20:32,989 multiple drones targeting Abu Dhabi's 464 00:20:32,989 --> 00:20:35,390 industrial zone , demonstrating speed 465 00:20:35,390 --> 00:20:39,089 and precision . And Qatar , Qatari 466 00:20:39,089 --> 00:20:41,200 fighters for the first time have shot 467 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:43,680 down two Iranian bombers that were en 468 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,609 route to their location . Together 469 00:20:46,609 --> 00:20:48,849 these nations are helping to defend 470 00:20:48,849 --> 00:20:51,250 themselves and project power as 471 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:54,199 required against the enemy . We're 100 472 00:20:54,199 --> 00:20:56,310 hours in . It's still very early , as 473 00:20:56,310 --> 00:20:58,532 the secretary said , but the balance is 474 00:20:58,532 --> 00:21:00,755 shifting . We've always got to remember 475 00:21:00,755 --> 00:21:02,755 that these operations are complex , 476 00:21:02,755 --> 00:21:04,760 dangerous , and far from over . Our 477 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,160 soldiers , sailors , airmen , marines , 478 00:21:07,239 --> 00:21:09,599 guardians , and coastguard guardsmen 479 00:21:09,599 --> 00:21:11,710 remain in harm's way , and we must be 480 00:21:11,710 --> 00:21:13,988 clear-eyed that the risk is still high . 481 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,680 Um , this is combat . Let us never 482 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,160 forget this . As we continue , I ask 483 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:20,993 that we hold all of our deployed 484 00:21:20,993 --> 00:21:22,882 teammates in our thoughts , those 485 00:21:22,882 --> 00:21:25,216 standing the watch , flying the sorties , 486 00:21:25,216 --> 00:21:27,438 sustaining the fight , and carrying our 487 00:21:27,438 --> 00:21:30,239 nation's burden . And I'll stop where I 488 00:21:30,239 --> 00:21:32,295 started , and that's remembering our 489 00:21:32,295 --> 00:21:34,800 six fallen who will return home as soon 490 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:37,180 as possible . I remain humbled . 491 00:21:37,859 --> 00:21:40,969 Grateful , inspired by every day the 492 00:21:40,969 --> 00:21:44,020 valor and professionalism of our joint 493 00:21:44,020 --> 00:21:46,670 force . They are quiet professionals 494 00:21:46,910 --> 00:21:49,050 through and through out there doing 495 00:21:49,050 --> 00:21:50,994 America's work through the day and 496 00:21:50,994 --> 00:21:53,161 through the darkness . And with that , 497 00:21:53,161 --> 00:21:55,383 I'll take your questions along with the 498 00:21:55,383 --> 00:21:58,349 secretary . Go ahead . What do you 499 00:21:58,349 --> 00:22:00,516 assess the enemy's control and command 500 00:22:00,516 --> 00:22:03,030 status is right now ? And can you 501 00:22:03,030 --> 00:22:05,589 broadly describe our decisive point in 502 00:22:05,589 --> 00:22:08,569 this operation ? Oh , I won't describe 503 00:22:08,569 --> 00:22:10,569 the decisive point in the operation 504 00:22:10,569 --> 00:22:12,625 because that would tell the bad guys 505 00:22:12,625 --> 00:22:14,625 what it was . Um , I appreciate the 506 00:22:14,625 --> 00:22:16,791 question . Um , their C2 structures in 507 00:22:16,791 --> 00:22:18,640 a , in a bad way . Uh , Admiral 508 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:21,209 Cooper's been continuing to pressure C2 509 00:22:21,449 --> 00:22:24,810 at the , uh , IRGCC2 and other military 510 00:22:24,810 --> 00:22:27,032 elements , and will continue to do so . 511 00:22:27,032 --> 00:22:29,254 Thank you for the question . Uh , thank 512 00:22:29,254 --> 00:22:31,477 you , Secretary Hegseth . Mary Margaret 513 00:22:31,477 --> 00:22:33,254 with the Daily Wire . Couple of 514 00:22:33,254 --> 00:22:33,130 questions for you and then one for 515 00:22:33,130 --> 00:22:35,130 General Kane . Can you tell us more 516 00:22:35,130 --> 00:22:37,186 about how we took out the leader who 517 00:22:37,186 --> 00:22:39,408 was , uh , the leader of the group that 518 00:22:39,408 --> 00:22:41,408 was trying to assassinate President 519 00:22:41,408 --> 00:22:43,297 Trump ? And then Turkey's Defense 520 00:22:43,297 --> 00:22:45,463 Ministry says NATO air defense systems 521 00:22:45,463 --> 00:22:45,260 intercepted an Iranian ballistic 522 00:22:45,260 --> 00:22:47,729 missile headed towards Turkish airspace . 523 00:22:48,130 --> 00:22:50,241 Could this trigger NATO's Article 5 , 524 00:22:50,241 --> 00:22:53,199 and was it the US who shot it down ? Uh , 525 00:22:53,270 --> 00:22:55,959 on the , on the first question , uh , 526 00:22:56,780 --> 00:22:58,891 We've known for a long time that Iran 527 00:22:58,891 --> 00:23:00,724 had intentions on trying to kill 528 00:23:00,724 --> 00:23:03,890 President Trump and or other US US 529 00:23:03,890 --> 00:23:06,112 officials , uh , and while that was not 530 00:23:06,112 --> 00:23:08,279 the focus of the effort by any stretch 531 00:23:08,279 --> 00:23:10,334 of the imagination , in fact , never 532 00:23:10,334 --> 00:23:12,668 raised by the president or anybody else , 533 00:23:12,668 --> 00:23:14,779 um , I ensured and and others ensured 534 00:23:14,779 --> 00:23:16,779 that those who were responsible for 535 00:23:16,779 --> 00:23:19,001 that were eventually part of the target 536 00:23:19,001 --> 00:23:21,112 list . It wasn't the , uh , beginning 537 00:23:21,112 --> 00:23:23,334 of the effort . We were focused on . On 538 00:23:23,334 --> 00:23:25,446 missiles and launchers and that's the 539 00:23:25,446 --> 00:23:27,501 focus , but ultimately if we had the 540 00:23:27,501 --> 00:23:26,750 opportunity to get at those who are 541 00:23:26,750 --> 00:23:29,083 trying to get at Americans specifically , 542 00:23:29,083 --> 00:23:32,439 we would , um , and so we eventually 543 00:23:32,439 --> 00:23:34,661 had the opportunity to do that from the 544 00:23:34,661 --> 00:23:36,883 air , uh , and then on the , the matter 545 00:23:36,883 --> 00:23:38,883 with Turkey , uh , I'll have to get 546 00:23:38,883 --> 00:23:40,661 back to you on exactly what the 547 00:23:40,661 --> 00:23:40,579 intercept looked like at that we're 548 00:23:40,579 --> 00:23:42,690 aware of that particular engagement , 549 00:23:42,690 --> 00:23:45,040 um , although no , uh , no sense that 550 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,207 it would trigger anything like Article 551 00:23:47,207 --> 00:23:50,449 5 , no tie right there . You got a tie 552 00:23:50,449 --> 00:23:52,449 on . Yeah , yeah , uh , thank you , 553 00:23:52,449 --> 00:23:54,616 come back to the BBC . Can you give us 554 00:23:54,616 --> 00:23:56,671 an update on what the administration 555 00:23:56,671 --> 00:23:58,671 knows , what you know now about the 556 00:23:58,671 --> 00:24:00,782 reported strike on a girls' school in 557 00:24:00,782 --> 00:24:02,949 southern Iran on Saturday ? Um , all I 558 00:24:02,949 --> 00:24:04,893 know , all I can say is that we're 559 00:24:04,893 --> 00:24:07,060 investigating that . Um , we of course 560 00:24:07,060 --> 00:24:09,227 never target . Uh , civilian targets , 561 00:24:09,227 --> 00:24:11,227 but we're , we're taking a look and 562 00:24:11,227 --> 00:24:13,338 investigating that red tie in front . 563 00:24:13,338 --> 00:24:15,393 Uh , just on the basis that with the 564 00:24:15,393 --> 00:24:15,050 information you would have , your 565 00:24:15,050 --> 00:24:17,489 reconnaissance abilities , uh , ability 566 00:24:17,489 --> 00:24:19,600 to gather information , I mean , it's 567 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:21,711 several days on now . So is there any 568 00:24:21,711 --> 00:24:23,767 clarity on whose munition this was ? 569 00:24:24,290 --> 00:24:26,346 We're investigating it . Thank you . 570 00:24:26,910 --> 00:24:29,150 Secretary , so there are reports that 571 00:24:29,150 --> 00:24:31,359 the administration is considering 572 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,229 arming Iranian Kurdish groups . So 573 00:24:34,229 --> 00:24:36,670 could you please clarify that whether 574 00:24:36,670 --> 00:24:39,810 any such plan has been authorized or 575 00:24:40,150 --> 00:24:43,069 and whether Congress or regional 576 00:24:43,069 --> 00:24:45,349 partners has been notified and 577 00:24:46,150 --> 00:24:48,829 consulted . All I would say is none of 578 00:24:48,829 --> 00:24:51,750 our objectives are premised on the . 579 00:24:51,849 --> 00:24:54,209 Support of the arming of , of any , any 580 00:24:54,209 --> 00:24:56,042 particular force . So what other 581 00:24:56,042 --> 00:24:58,609 entities may be doing we're aware of , 582 00:24:58,770 --> 00:25:00,992 uh , but our objectives aren't centered 583 00:25:00,992 --> 00:25:02,937 on that . Uh , green right there . 584 00:25:03,290 --> 00:25:05,401 Thank you , Mr . Secretary Mike Flynn 585 00:25:05,401 --> 00:25:07,512 The Washington Times . Can you talk a 586 00:25:07,512 --> 00:25:09,457 little bit about the deconfliction 587 00:25:09,457 --> 00:25:09,329 process that's going on ? You have two 588 00:25:09,329 --> 00:25:11,329 parallel operations , Epic Fury and 589 00:25:11,329 --> 00:25:13,496 Roaring Lion . How are you making sure 590 00:25:13,496 --> 00:25:15,829 they're not interfering with each other ? 591 00:25:15,829 --> 00:25:17,940 Sure , I'm happy to take that . Thank 592 00:25:17,940 --> 00:25:17,699 you , thank you for the question . Um , 593 00:25:17,790 --> 00:25:19,679 we , we've , uh , we have liaison 594 00:25:19,679 --> 00:25:22,550 officers on both sides . Uh , there are 595 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:24,494 US CENTCOM teammates , uh , out in 596 00:25:24,494 --> 00:25:26,606 Israel , and there are , uh , Israeli 597 00:25:26,606 --> 00:25:28,717 Defense Force teammates , uh , at the 598 00:25:28,717 --> 00:25:30,717 relevant , uh , command and control 599 00:25:30,717 --> 00:25:32,939 nodes within the US CENCOM enterprise . 600 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,262 Uh , routinely , uh , Admiral Cooper is 601 00:25:35,262 --> 00:25:37,207 talking to the , uh , IDF Chief of 602 00:25:37,207 --> 00:25:39,689 Defense , and I will occasionally speak 603 00:25:39,689 --> 00:25:42,030 to him , uh , through the arc of this . 604 00:25:42,109 --> 00:25:44,387 I've spoken to him a few times already . 605 00:25:44,387 --> 00:25:46,387 Uh , that allows us to coordinate , 606 00:25:46,387 --> 00:25:48,553 integrate , and synchronize activities 607 00:25:48,553 --> 00:25:50,442 while maintaining separate , uh , 608 00:25:50,442 --> 00:25:52,498 separate efforts . And when I said a 609 00:25:52,498 --> 00:25:54,831 breath of fresh air , I really meant it . 610 00:25:54,831 --> 00:25:56,942 Uh , usually it's us with , uh , some 611 00:25:56,942 --> 00:25:59,109 ancillary benefits from allies who are 612 00:25:59,109 --> 00:26:01,331 maybe willing but not as capable . Uh , 613 00:26:01,331 --> 00:26:00,910 when you have both the will and the 614 00:26:00,910 --> 00:26:03,349 capability , uh , of an ally , uh , 615 00:26:03,410 --> 00:26:05,577 that , that can really bring things to 616 00:26:05,577 --> 00:26:07,688 bear . We take certain targets , they 617 00:26:07,688 --> 00:26:07,589 take certain targets , and we 618 00:26:07,589 --> 00:26:09,478 coordinate it , it has incredible 619 00:26:09,478 --> 00:26:11,930 effects . Secretary Hague said , um , 620 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,130 with respect to House Minority Leader 621 00:26:14,130 --> 00:26:16,130 Hakeem Jeffrey's statement that the 622 00:26:16,130 --> 00:26:18,352 Iran mission will end in failure , what 623 00:26:18,352 --> 00:26:20,463 kind of message does that send to our 624 00:26:20,463 --> 00:26:22,408 enemies and what does it do to the 625 00:26:22,408 --> 00:26:24,739 motivation of our troops ? Well , I've 626 00:26:24,739 --> 00:26:27,030 been through that movie before . With 627 00:26:27,030 --> 00:26:28,919 the Democrats rooting against the 628 00:26:28,919 --> 00:26:30,974 country , our generation saw that in 629 00:26:30,974 --> 00:26:33,089 our battlefields . Uh , I think it's 630 00:26:33,089 --> 00:26:35,145 pretty unprecedented and unfortunate 631 00:26:35,145 --> 00:26:37,959 that it would occur 4 days in an 632 00:26:37,959 --> 00:26:40,126 operation where , as the chairman laid 633 00:26:40,126 --> 00:26:42,369 out , uh , America's best are operating 634 00:26:42,369 --> 00:26:43,980 in an incredibly challenging 635 00:26:43,980 --> 00:26:45,925 environment , uh , where they're , 636 00:26:45,925 --> 00:26:48,147 they're having incredible success , but 637 00:26:48,147 --> 00:26:50,036 they're meeting an , a determined 638 00:26:50,036 --> 00:26:52,630 adversary , and , uh , I would . He's 639 00:26:52,630 --> 00:26:54,449 been privy to briefs that we've 640 00:26:54,449 --> 00:26:56,616 provided . He knows how effective this 641 00:26:56,616 --> 00:26:58,671 has been . He's being disingenuous , 642 00:26:58,671 --> 00:27:00,782 which I'm , which we're used to right 643 00:27:00,782 --> 00:27:00,609 here . Thank you for taking my question , 644 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:03,270 uh , Heather Mullins , Syndell TV . Uh , 645 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:05,359 one of the questions I have is just 646 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,526 really regarding the intelligence that 647 00:27:07,526 --> 00:27:09,637 indicated that this was something the 648 00:27:09,637 --> 00:27:11,859 US had to get involved with at the time 649 00:27:11,859 --> 00:27:13,915 that you guys did . We had Operation 650 00:27:13,915 --> 00:27:15,803 Midnight Hammer back in June . We 651 00:27:15,803 --> 00:27:17,970 obliterated their nuclear facilities . 652 00:27:17,970 --> 00:27:19,692 What was the intelligence that 653 00:27:19,692 --> 00:27:21,748 suggested that somehow they became a 654 00:27:21,748 --> 00:27:23,859 threat once again that required us to 655 00:27:23,859 --> 00:27:26,026 get involved with Operation Eppifu ? I 656 00:27:26,026 --> 00:27:27,970 appreciate the question . Uh , the 657 00:27:27,970 --> 00:27:30,026 evidence in front of us since the 12 658 00:27:30,026 --> 00:27:31,810 Day War , was that Iran had no 659 00:27:31,810 --> 00:27:34,410 intention of actually negotiating a 660 00:27:34,410 --> 00:27:36,577 nuclear deal that truly meant they did 661 00:27:36,577 --> 00:27:38,854 not have a pathway to the nuclear bomb , 662 00:27:38,854 --> 00:27:40,810 and they had a moment . Uh , Jared 663 00:27:40,810 --> 00:27:43,420 Kushner and Steve Witkoff , uh , two of 664 00:27:43,420 --> 00:27:45,420 the best negotiators in the world , 665 00:27:45,420 --> 00:27:47,531 poured into that negotiation , giving 666 00:27:47,531 --> 00:27:49,698 them every single possible opportunity 667 00:27:49,698 --> 00:27:51,531 to , to release that , uh , that 668 00:27:51,531 --> 00:27:53,587 ambition . And they didn't , and the 669 00:27:53,587 --> 00:27:55,476 intelligence that we saw saw they 670 00:27:55,476 --> 00:27:57,642 didn't intend to do it in good faith , 671 00:27:57,642 --> 00:27:59,531 uh , that they had the intentions 672 00:27:59,531 --> 00:28:01,531 eventually to get , uh , to a place 673 00:28:01,531 --> 00:28:03,142 where they could have that a 674 00:28:03,142 --> 00:28:05,087 conventional shield to block their 675 00:28:05,087 --> 00:28:07,253 nuclear capabilities as I talked about 676 00:28:07,253 --> 00:28:09,253 yesterday . So I would separate the 677 00:28:09,253 --> 00:28:09,140 what from the when a little bit . The 678 00:28:09,140 --> 00:28:11,239 what is . They've been killing 679 00:28:11,239 --> 00:28:13,183 Americans for 47 years . They have 680 00:28:13,183 --> 00:28:15,295 thousands of missiles pointed at us . 681 00:28:15,295 --> 00:28:17,406 They have ongoing nuclear ambitions , 682 00:28:17,406 --> 00:28:19,628 and they're at the weakest they've ever 683 00:28:19,628 --> 00:28:21,739 been . So the when became , uh , in , 684 00:28:21,739 --> 00:28:23,906 in a particular , hey , what makes the 685 00:28:23,906 --> 00:28:25,961 most sense to , to do this to ensure 686 00:28:25,961 --> 00:28:28,072 that the narrow objectives we have of 687 00:28:28,072 --> 00:28:28,000 ensuring they never have a nuclear 688 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:30,469 weapon have a maximum effect . Yes , 689 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:32,504 right here . Thank you , Secretary 690 00:28:32,504 --> 00:28:34,782 Hecketh . I have two questions . First , 691 00:28:34,782 --> 00:28:37,004 what is your message to Iran's allies , 692 00:28:37,004 --> 00:28:38,949 namely Russia and China , who have 693 00:28:38,949 --> 00:28:40,671 called for an immediate end to 694 00:28:40,671 --> 00:28:42,727 hostilities ? I don't have a message 695 00:28:42,727 --> 00:28:44,727 for them , and they're not really a 696 00:28:44,727 --> 00:28:46,838 factor here and uh we're our issue is 697 00:28:46,838 --> 00:28:48,727 not with them , it's with the the 698 00:28:48,727 --> 00:28:51,004 nuclear ambitions of Iran . Absolutely . 699 00:28:51,004 --> 00:28:53,171 And are any so-called fully autonomous 700 00:28:53,171 --> 00:28:55,393 weapons or other AI tools being used in 701 00:28:55,393 --> 00:28:58,109 Operation Epic Fury ? Uh , we've got a 702 00:28:58,109 --> 00:29:00,260 lot of autonomous systems or systems 703 00:29:00,260 --> 00:29:02,149 that are , that , uh , drones and 704 00:29:02,149 --> 00:29:04,371 others , uh , incorporated with smart , 705 00:29:04,660 --> 00:29:07,180 uh , AI aspects to them , but I , a lot 706 00:29:07,180 --> 00:29:09,513 of which I can't talk about here . Yeah , 707 00:29:09,513 --> 00:29:11,736 um , yellow right there . Yes , ma'am . 708 00:29:11,736 --> 00:29:13,902 Thank you very much , Mr . Secretary . 709 00:29:13,902 --> 00:29:15,902 As you know , China is accusing the 710 00:29:15,902 --> 00:29:19,729 United States of invading in . Iran , 711 00:29:19,849 --> 00:29:22,449 a sovereign nation , and North Korea , 712 00:29:22,569 --> 00:29:26,329 which cooperate with Iran on nuclear 713 00:29:26,329 --> 00:29:29,290 development , has declared its 714 00:29:29,290 --> 00:29:33,050 commitment to protecting Iran . What 715 00:29:33,050 --> 00:29:35,910 is the United States' strategic . 716 00:29:36,790 --> 00:29:39,930 Response to this , and I have a second 717 00:29:39,930 --> 00:29:43,849 one . How many allies joined 718 00:29:43,849 --> 00:29:47,349 with the United States to fighting 719 00:29:47,650 --> 00:29:49,928 against Iran ? Do you have any numbers ? 720 00:29:49,928 --> 00:29:52,150 I think what you're seeing right now is 721 00:29:52,150 --> 00:29:53,928 a response in the region to the 722 00:29:53,928 --> 00:29:55,539 belligerence of Iran and the 723 00:29:55,539 --> 00:29:57,706 willingness of them to target civilian 724 00:29:57,706 --> 00:30:00,089 airports , civilian hotels , civilian 725 00:30:00,089 --> 00:30:02,311 locations , civilian oil infrastructure 726 00:30:02,311 --> 00:30:04,311 of . Their Gulf neighbors who would 727 00:30:04,311 --> 00:30:06,367 have preferred not to be in conflict 728 00:30:06,367 --> 00:30:08,533 didn't want to but now realize um that 729 00:30:08,533 --> 00:30:10,700 this is something that has to be dealt 730 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:13,270 with . So whether it's UAE or Qatar or 731 00:30:13,270 --> 00:30:17,000 Bahrain or Kuwait or Saudi on 732 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:19,111 different levels they're reaching out 733 00:30:19,111 --> 00:30:21,389 to us whether they're going on offense , 734 00:30:21,389 --> 00:30:20,959 which they are , whether they're giving 735 00:30:20,959 --> 00:30:22,829 us additional access basing and 736 00:30:22,829 --> 00:30:25,640 overflight , um , we're getting , we're , 737 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:27,847 we're working very closely and , and , 738 00:30:27,847 --> 00:30:30,069 and collaborating with them also on air 739 00:30:30,069 --> 00:30:32,291 defenses . The air defense capabilities 740 00:30:32,291 --> 00:30:34,458 of those countries are significant and 741 00:30:34,458 --> 00:30:36,180 when combined with ours and we 742 00:30:36,180 --> 00:30:38,402 coordinate it , it brings simplicity to 743 00:30:38,402 --> 00:30:40,624 the shot doctrine so we make sure we're 744 00:30:40,624 --> 00:30:42,624 using less munitions but being more 745 00:30:42,624 --> 00:30:42,599 effective with what we shoot at , uh , 746 00:30:42,609 --> 00:30:44,720 and as it pertains to other countries 747 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:46,720 I'll , I'll sort of give the same , 748 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:48,887 same question , uh . They don't really 749 00:30:48,887 --> 00:30:51,053 bear on the case of Iran . We're going 750 00:30:51,053 --> 00:30:53,276 to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions , 751 00:30:53,276 --> 00:30:52,900 and that'll send , uh , plenty of 752 00:30:52,900 --> 00:30:55,060 signals in the process right there , 753 00:30:59,959 --> 00:31:01,959 uh , purple , thank you so much . I 754 00:31:01,959 --> 00:31:01,339 have two questions . One question for 755 00:31:01,339 --> 00:31:03,339 you and the other question for Mr . 756 00:31:03,339 --> 00:31:05,561 Chairman . You , you ruled out that you 757 00:31:05,561 --> 00:31:07,450 are not engaging with the Kurdish 758 00:31:07,450 --> 00:31:09,506 forces , Iranian Kurdish forces , to 759 00:31:09,506 --> 00:31:11,672 inclusion from the Kurdistan region to 760 00:31:11,672 --> 00:31:13,783 Iran . But now and today Iranian said 761 00:31:13,783 --> 00:31:15,839 that under threatening the Kurdistan 762 00:31:15,839 --> 00:31:17,950 region , they said clearly if there's 763 00:31:17,950 --> 00:31:20,283 any intrusion from the Kurdistan region , 764 00:31:20,283 --> 00:31:20,020 they will attack all the Kurdistan 765 00:31:20,020 --> 00:31:22,242 region and go to war with the Kurdistan 766 00:31:22,242 --> 00:31:24,409 region . What's your comment on that ? 767 00:31:24,409 --> 00:31:26,353 And a question for Mr . Chairman , 768 00:31:26,353 --> 00:31:28,298 giving comments that the US forces 769 00:31:28,298 --> 00:31:30,464 might be deployed if necessary , under 770 00:31:30,464 --> 00:31:30,239 what specific conditions would you 771 00:31:30,239 --> 00:31:32,699 determine that deploying US boots on 772 00:31:32,699 --> 00:31:34,921 the ground is necessary , and how would 773 00:31:34,921 --> 00:31:36,979 such a decision support and advance 774 00:31:37,339 --> 00:31:41,160 your stated strategic goals ? Uh , well , 775 00:31:41,229 --> 00:31:43,285 I'm not gonna comment on US boots on 776 00:31:43,285 --> 00:31:45,451 the ground . I think that's a question 777 00:31:45,451 --> 00:31:47,451 for policymakers , and I don't make 778 00:31:47,451 --> 00:31:49,729 policy , I execute policy . I will say , 779 00:31:49,729 --> 00:31:51,896 but on the question in the back corner 780 00:31:51,896 --> 00:31:54,229 about helping Americans get out , first , 781 00:31:54,229 --> 00:31:56,340 it's a great opportunity to encourage 782 00:31:56,340 --> 00:31:55,959 everybody in the region to go to the 783 00:31:55,959 --> 00:31:57,737 State Department and register . 784 00:31:57,737 --> 00:31:59,959 Secretary Rubio's been , been trying to 785 00:31:59,959 --> 00:32:02,126 get that word out , and I'd ask you to 786 00:32:02,126 --> 00:32:04,015 help us with that , to have folks 787 00:32:04,015 --> 00:32:06,126 register . We've also opened up space 788 00:32:06,126 --> 00:32:08,560 available seats , uh , as C-seventeens 789 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:10,849 and other airplanes come in . To try to 790 00:32:10,849 --> 00:32:13,016 help folks get out , but that's really 791 00:32:13,016 --> 00:32:14,960 a State Department matter . But to 792 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:17,182 answer your question , uh , that's what 793 00:32:17,182 --> 00:32:19,238 we've been doing . Absolutely . Uh , 794 00:32:19,238 --> 00:32:21,293 last question right here , Secretary 795 00:32:21,293 --> 00:32:21,010 Hexa . Thank you , Reagan Reese with 796 00:32:21,010 --> 00:32:23,177 the Daily Caller . Uh , you touched on 797 00:32:23,177 --> 00:32:25,343 this in your opening remarks , but I'm 798 00:32:25,343 --> 00:32:27,454 hoping you could expand on it a bit . 799 00:32:27,454 --> 00:32:29,566 It's been reported that Iran might be 800 00:32:29,566 --> 00:32:31,399 trying to outlast our ability to 801 00:32:31,399 --> 00:32:33,454 intercept their missiles . It sounds 802 00:32:33,454 --> 00:32:33,380 like you guys are saying they don't 803 00:32:33,380 --> 00:32:35,602 have the ability to do so . Is that the 804 00:32:35,602 --> 00:32:37,979 case ? Can we , can they outlast us in 805 00:32:37,979 --> 00:32:41,219 their ability to do that ? Iran cannot 806 00:32:41,219 --> 00:32:43,479 outlast us . We're going to ensure 807 00:32:43,939 --> 00:32:45,883 through violence of action and our 808 00:32:45,883 --> 00:32:47,606 offensive capabilities and our 809 00:32:47,606 --> 00:32:49,661 defensive capabilities , as I said , 810 00:32:49,661 --> 00:32:51,883 that we set the tone . And the tempo of 811 00:32:51,883 --> 00:32:53,939 this fight , uh , that's why stories 812 00:32:53,939 --> 00:32:56,106 and speculation about different things 813 00:32:56,106 --> 00:32:58,106 that try to make it look like we're 814 00:32:58,106 --> 00:33:00,161 limited in what we can do . The only 815 00:33:00,161 --> 00:33:01,883 limits we have in this is , is 816 00:33:01,883 --> 00:33:03,883 President Trump's desire to achieve 817 00:33:03,883 --> 00:33:05,772 specific effects on behalf of the 818 00:33:05,772 --> 00:33:07,772 American people . And that's why we 819 00:33:07,772 --> 00:33:09,883 don't talk about , you know , you can 820 00:33:09,883 --> 00:33:11,939 say 4 weeks , but it could be 6 , it 821 00:33:11,939 --> 00:33:14,161 could be 8 , it could be 3 . Ultimately 822 00:33:14,161 --> 00:33:16,161 we set the pace and the tempo . The 823 00:33:16,161 --> 00:33:15,609 enemy is going is off balance , and 824 00:33:15,609 --> 00:33:17,720 we're going to keep him off balance . 825 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:19,665 And we know their ability to shoot 826 00:33:19,665 --> 00:33:21,665 versus our ability to defend . That 827 00:33:21,665 --> 00:33:23,776 difference gets wider and wider every 828 00:33:23,776 --> 00:33:25,887 day . Our defense gets better . Their 829 00:33:25,887 --> 00:33:28,109 offense capabilities diminish , uh , as 830 00:33:28,109 --> 00:33:30,331 we are going into ammunitions that we , 831 00:33:30,331 --> 00:33:32,053 as , as we said , have tens of 832 00:33:32,053 --> 00:33:34,053 thousands of and can drop unlimited 833 00:33:34,053 --> 00:33:36,276 supplies on with even more effects than 834 00:33:36,276 --> 00:33:38,331 the standoff emissions we have now , 835 00:33:38,331 --> 00:33:40,553 which is why when we say the throttle's 836 00:33:40,553 --> 00:33:42,609 going up , the throttle's going up , 837 00:33:42,609 --> 00:33:42,449 and it's gonna stay on high . Thank you 838 00:33:42,449 --> 00:33:43,780 all very much . Appreciate it .