From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Hegseth: US ‘addressing’ Russian and Chinese activity surrounding Iran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says, “We know exactly what Russia and China are doing with Iran. We are addressing it.”
Hegseth is responding to a question at a Pentagon briefing about reports that Russia and Iran are providing intelligence to Iran on US troop movements in the war.
Asked about Iran’s impeding of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth says the US is working toward having it fully reopened but reiterates US President Donald Trump’s assertion that other countries should help as well.
US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine says the thousands of Marine forces Trump has deployed to the region can be used for tasks other than a ground invasion, amid speculation that such an offensive is coming.
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