Pete Hegseth: The world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, should be saying one thing to President Trump — thank you

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the world and US allies should be thanking President Donald Trump for the ongoing military campaign against Iran, sharply criticising European partners and segments of the American press during a Pentagon briefing.

“The world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, and even segments of our own press should be saying one thing to Trump: thank you,” Hegseth said, Clash Report reports.

His remarks came as he outlined the scale and trajectory of joint US-Israeli operations, which he said had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure.

“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental—that is overwhelming force applied with precision. And again today will be the largest strike package yet. Yet, just like yesterday, as I’ve said from day one, our capabilities continue to build while Iran’s continue to degrade. We’re hunting and striking—death and destruction from above,” he added.

Hegseth also accused parts of the US media of attempting to undermine the operation for political reasons.

“A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing—we know this by now—to downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call every step into question. Sadly, TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] is in their DNA. They want President Trump to fail. But you, the American people, know better,” he said.

He stressed that there was no fixed timeline for ending the campaign, saying the decision would rest with the president.