Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Tuesday that Iran continues to possess the capability to launch offensive missiles, despite weeks of intensive military operations by the U.S. aimed at degrading Tehran's missile infrastructure.

Hegseth acknowledged that the threat has not been entirely eliminated, noting that while Iran might fire missiles, the U.S. will counter them. This assessment comes a month into the ongoing military campaign involving U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian military assets.

U.S. Strategy: Degradation and Interdiction

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, detailed the ongoing military focus during the same Pentagon briefing.

Targeting Supply Lines

  • The U.S. military is concentrating efforts on "interdicting and destroying" facilities.
  • These facilities are responsible for supplying missiles, naval ships, and drones to Iranian forces.

The continuous arrival of thousands of American soldiers in the Middle East coincides with President Trump evaluating the conflict's next phase.

Diplomacy and Military Pressure Coexist

Secretary Hegseth emphasized that while diplomatic talks with Iran are considered "very real," military pressure will be maintained concurrently.

Ground Operations as Leverage

Hegseth confirmed that ground operations remain a viable option for the U.S. military to execute if necessary.

“Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we can come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are,” Hegseth stated. “If we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department, or maybe we don’t have to use them at all. Maybe negotiations will work.”

The overarching goal, according to Hegseth, is to maintain an element of unpredictability. General Caine added that the presence of U.S. ground troops in the region acts as a crucial "pressure point" supporting diplomatic efforts.

Allied Support Challenges Surface

As military leaders assess ground options, Trump administration officials have publicly noted difficulties securing support from certain U.S. allies.

President Trump's Criticism

Early Tuesday, President Trump used Truth Social to complain that several nations have "refused to get involved" in the conflict or in efforts to restore the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route closed by Iran.

  • Trump asserted that the U.S. would no longer automatically assist these nations, stating, “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore.”
  • He also specifically called out France for reportedly barring Israeli military planes from its airspace, posting, “The USA will REMEMBER!!!”
  • Reports indicated that Italy and the U.K. also restricted U.S. warplanes from landing at their military bases on Tuesday.

Hegseth Acknowledges Hesitations

At the Pentagon, Hegseth conceded that the U.S. military encountered "roadblocks or hesitations" when requesting assistance or base access from allies.

Hegseth suggested that the President's comments highlight a lack of unified alliance commitment. He concluded that the situation has revealed to the world what allies are truly willing to commit during a major effort undertaken by the United States "on behalf of the free world."