From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Hegseth salutes Israel’s ‘unmatched skill and iron determination’
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praises Israel’s conduct of the war with Iran, saying its mission is being carried out with “unmatched skill and iron determination.”
He calls Israel a “steadfast partner,” and says it’s a “breath of fresh air” to fight with such a capable ally.
“We salute your courage and your contribution,” says Hegseth.
He stresses that “this is not a ‘mission accomplished situation,'” referencing the infamous photo of former US president George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier weeks into the 2003 war in Iraq.
“We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground,” he says. “We control their fate.”
He accuses the press of wanting to make the US president look bad by focusing on Iranian drones that make it through air defenses.
Hegseth pledges that Iran will never possess a nuclear bomb.
He stresses that the US has put defending its troops “ahead of everything else.” He says that before that war, 90% of US troops in the region were moved outside the range of Iranian fire.
The Times of Israel Community.