Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a briefing at the Pentagon, after the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities, during the Israel-Iran conflict, in Arlington, Virginia, US, June 22, 2025 in this still image taken from handout video. Reuters TV/US Department of Defense/Handout via REUTERS

Hegseth claims decisive US military victory over Iran

Hegseth said the US military was "hanging around" in the Middle East to ensure Iran ⁠complies with the two-week ceasefire and to monitor the country's enriched uranium stockpile.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Weapons experts dispute US account of deadly Lamerd strike

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a briefing held with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine (not pictured), amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US, March 31, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Pentagon declines to reaffirm NATO's collective defence, says up to Trump

File photo of United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Photo: Collected

US defence secretary calls for 'overwhelming violence' against enemies

Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026. File Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

How Trump's team misjudged Iran's war response

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

US Senator Mark Kelly sues Pentagon chief Hegseth over demotion threats

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives for a classified briefing for all members of the US House of Representatives on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, December 16, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

US will not release full Venezuela boat strike video: Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

US lawmakers may withhold Hegseth travel funds to force boat video release

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Hegseth says he would have ordered second strike on Caribbean vessel

In a video posted by the US military, a small boat moving across the water is struck by a large explosion. The camera then zooms out to show the vessel engulfed in flames and smoke. Photo: Collected/DW

US strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills four

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Pentagon review faults Hegseth over Signal messages on Yemen strikes: Sources

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, December 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Hegseth says he did not see survivors after first drug boat strike, backs decision to strike again

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a bilateral meeting with Malaysia's Defence Minister ahead of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLUS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

War crime, murder, or lawful strike: The controversy over Pete Hegseth’s 'kill everybody' order