As the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week cease-fire, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on the 8th (local time) that the United States had won a decisive victory over Iran.
Hegseth, the defense secretary, said in a briefing at the Ministry of National Defense building that the United States had achieved a decisive victory through the Iran operation "Majestic Fury."
Hegseth said the Ministry of National Defense's role was over for now and that the cease-fire agreement had opened a real opportunity for peace.
However, he emphasized that U.S. forces that took part in the operation against Iran would maintain readiness in case of contingencies.
He warned that if the cease-fire is broken or not properly implemented, attacks on Iran could resume.
Hegseth said Iran would hand over enriched uranium to the United States, and if not, the United States would take it directly.
Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) who appeared at the briefing, also said, "U.S. forces have achieved their military objectives in Iran," adding that the cease-fire is a temporary pause and that they will maintain readiness to resume combat.
The United States and Iran agreed the previous day, the 38th day of the war, to a two-week cease-fire on the condition of opening the Strait of Hormuz.