Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States has no "definitive" time frame on ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, stressing "we are winning on our terms," while rejecting media speculation that the U.S. is moving toward an "endless abyss" or a "forever war." Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing, as the U.S. military campaign against Tehran, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," has been in progress for three weeks, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its navy, and deny it any ability to develop nuclear weapons. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame on that, but ... we're on plans," he said, responding to a question about how close the U.S. military is towards achieving its objectives in the operation against the Islamic Republic. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Commenting on the Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, Hegseth said Israel "clearly" sent a "warning." "President Trump was very clear about that Iran has weaponized energy for decades," he said. "Iran has the ability to make the right choices. This is not those wars." The secretary also stressed that America is winning in the conflict. "We fight to win, and we are winning on our terms following our objectives," he said. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Hegseth Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war prev Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation Next Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation

## Article Content
Facebook
X
More
Pinterest
Linked in
Tumblr
Reddit
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States has no "definitive" time frame on ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, stressing "we are winning on our terms," while rejecting media speculation that the U.S. is moving toward an "endless abyss" or a "forever war."
Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing, as the U.S. military campaign against Tehran, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," has been in progress for three weeks, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its navy, and deny it any ability to develop nuclear weapons.
"We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame on that, but ... we're on plans," he said, responding to a question about how close the U.S. military is towards achieving its objectives in the operation against the Islamic Republic.
He went on to say that ending the war will be at President Donald Trump's choosing ultimately.
"So no time set on that, but we're very much on track," he said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
Commenting on the Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, Hegseth said Israel "clearly" sent a "warning."
"President Trump was very clear about that Iran has weaponized energy for decades," he said.
"Iran has the ability to make the right choices. It should not (be) going forward ... target Arab allies, Arab countries trying to create pain, the pain that they created themselves."
Noting that the U.S. has struck over 7,000 targets in Iran, and damaged or sunk over 120 Iranian ships, Hegseth warned of continued military strikes on the Middle East country.
"That is not incremental, that is overwhelming force applied with precision," he said of the strikes.
"Again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was. As I've said from Day 1, our capabilities continue to build. Iran's continue to degrade. We're hunting and striking death and destruction from above."
He reiterated that the ongoing operation will not lead to a long-running war like the Iraq war in the 2000s.
"The media here, not all of it, but much of it, wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we're somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or a forever war or a quagmire. Nothing could be further from the truth," he said.
"One of hundreds of thousands who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, who watched previous foolish politicians like Bush, Obama and Biden squander American credibility ... This is not those wars."
The secretary also stressed that America is winning in the conflict.
"We fight to win, and we are winning on our terms following our objectives," he said.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#Hegseth
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms
(LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war
Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert
Most Saved
(LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East
Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war
prev
Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation
Next
Hegseth says no 'definitive' time frame on ending Iran war, rejects 'forever war' speculation

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States has no "definitive" time frame on ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, stressing "we are winning on our terms," while rejecting media speculation that the U.S. is moving toward an "endless abyss" or a "forever war." Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing, as the U.S. military campaign against Tehran, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," has been in progress for three weeks, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its navy, and deny it any ability to develop nuclear weapons. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame on that, but ... we're on plans," he said, responding to a question about how close the U.S. military is towards achieving its objectives in the operation against the Islamic Republic.

### Areas for Consideration
- This is not those wars." The secretary also stressed that America is winning in the conflict. "We fight to win, and we are winning on our terms following our objectives," he said. sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Hegseth Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- He went on to say that ending the war will be at President Donald Trump's choosing ultimately. "So no time set on that, but we're very much on track," he said.
- It should not (be) going forward ... target Arab allies, Arab countries trying to create pain, the pain that they created themselves." Noting that the U.S. has struck over 7,000 targets in Iran, and damaged or sunk over 120 Iranian ships, Hegseth warned of continued military strikes on the Middle East country. "That is not incremental, that is overwhelming force applied with precision," he said of the strikes. "Again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was.
- We're hunting and striking death and destruction from above." He reiterated that the ongoing operation will not lead to a long-running war like the Iraq war in the 2000s. "The media here, not all of it, but much of it, wants you to think, just 19 days into this conflict, that we're somehow spinning toward an endless abyss or a forever war or a quagmire.
- Nothing could be further from the truth," he said. "One of hundreds of thousands who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, who watched previous foolish politicians like Bush, Obama and Biden squander American credibility ...

### Expert Commentary
This article covers war, iran, hegseth topics. Notable strengths include discussion of war. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 648.