Hegseth Details Iran Ceasefire at Tense Pentagon Briefing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply rebuked reporters during a Pentagon briefing on April 8, 2026, as he outlined the details of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, announced by President Donald Trump the previous evening. The exchange highlighted tensions in the question-and-answer session, where Hegseth addressed U.S. military achievements and ongoing monitoring of the fragile agreement.

Hegseth, speaking alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, described the ceasefire as a decisive victory for U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury. He stated that Iran had accepted the deal under overwhelming pressure after the U.S. and its allies decimated key elements of Tehran's military, including its missile program, navy, and air force. "We own their skies," Hegseth said, adding that Iranian leaders, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, and naval officials, had been killed in strikes conducted by American and Israeli forces. The agreement, approved by Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, calls for an end to hostilities, with Iran retaining control over uranium enrichment and the U.S. agreeing to...