By Sabiu Abdullahi
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump, as he announced the killing of a senior figure linked to the plot.
Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday, where he provided updates on the ongoing conflict with Iran. He referred to recent interceptions of drones and rockets by American forces and praised the strength of the US military.
He said: ‘Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump was hunted down and killed.
‘Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh.’
The defence chief also vowed retaliation for American personnel killed in the fighting. He stated that the United States would ‘avenge’ the four servicemen and women who died in attacks involving Iranian drones and rockets.
Hegseth stressed that operations are still underway. He said the mission is not ‘accomplished’. He cited a recent naval action in which a US submarine sank an Iranian warship that, according to him, ‘thought it was safe in international waters’.
Hegseth added: ‘This was never meant to be a fair fight, and it’s not a fair fight… they’re going down.
‘More and larger waves are coming; we are just getting started.’
A Defence Department map displayed during the briefing outlined the first 100 hours of what has been named Operation EPIC FURY. The chart detailed a series of strikes across Iranian territory.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities reported a rising death toll from the conflict. Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said at least 1,045 people have died so far. The agency explained that the figure reflects bodies identified and prepared for burial.
The fighting entered its fifth day with continued airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Tehran and other cities. Israeli forces targeted members of Iran’s leadership and security services. Iran responded with missile launches and drone attacks aimed at Israel and locations across the region.
Residents in Tehran reported explosions at dawn. State television broadcast images of damaged buildings in central areas of the capital. The city of Qom and several other locations also came under attack.
The Israeli military said one of its F-35 fighter jets shot down a piloted Iranian Air Force YAK-130 aircraft over Tehran on Wednesday.
The conflict has intensified tensions across the Middle East, with both sides signalling that further military action may follow.
