U.S. Defense Secretary: Iranian People Should Seize The Opportunity

• 8.04.2026, 16:24

There are new opportunities for change in the country.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke to reporters. The main topic was the cease-fire with Iran and the possible escalation of the conflict.

"Iran would be wise to find a way to deliver a messenger dove to their troops in remote areas so they know they don't have to fire and launch missile strikes anymore," he said. - Sometimes it takes time for a ceasefire to take effect.

We had some military targets on Kharg Island, which was a signal. They can't defend it, and so the Iranians eventually realized their position and their future.

Their ability to produce and generate power to feed their regime was in our hands. It was in President Trump's hands. That's why they sat down at the negotiating table.

He finally made it clear: We can take everything from you. Your ability to export energy can be taken away, and the U.S. Army has the ability to strike those targets with impunity.

It was that threat that finally made them say, "Okay. We want to make this deal."

The minister emphasized that the more Iran moves troops, the more vulnerable they become to allied strikes right now.

"Remember, we can observe," he said. - We can see. We can feel. We know where they are. So if they try to pre-position troops, they will just create more convenient military targets for us to hit."

Pete Hegseth thanked U.S. allies for their support:

"The UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have all fought side by side with us, especially in defense of our facilities and our people, as well as their own facilities.

We appreciate that, and that coordination will certainly continue."

The U.S. Defense Secretary addressed the Iranians:

"I would like the Iranian people to seize this opportunity. They were oppressed by the previous regime, and now they may have a new opportunity with this regime. That remains to be seen. That was not our goal under these circumstances."