Trump says Pete Hegseth ‘knocked the hell’ out of Iran as Pentagon chief extends Mideast troop deployments into 2027
Donald Trump publicly praised Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for recent US strikes on Iran, even as the Pentagon extended troop deployments in the Middle East in a move that could see American forces remain in the region into 2027. The comments come as Hegseth faces separate scrutiny following the departure of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and as the wider conflict with Iran continues despite Trump's claims of near-total US dominance. The extended deployment underscores that, despite the administration's upbeat rhetoric, the confrontation with Tehran is far from resolved and is placing growing strain on US forces.
On Tuesday, the US carried out around a dozen strikes on Iranian radar systems and military assets along a 300-mile stretch of coastline near the Strait of Hormuz; Iranian media said a missile struck a wedding party, killing at least four civilians, including two women and two children. The Pentagon plans to keep roughly 50,000 troops in the region to intercept missiles and protect commercial shipping, a strategy sources told the Wall Street Journal gives Trump flexibility but risks further straining service members, illustrated by the USS Abraham Lincoln's docking in Thailand after a gruelling 250-day deployment. Trump has dismissed suggestions he is seeking peace talks with Tehran, saying he believes crippling sanctions and Iran's economic collapse will ultimately force the regime's hand, while also urging Iranians to rise up against their government.
- Trump praised Hegseth after US strikes on Iranian radar and military sites
- Pentagon extends Mideast troop deployments, possibly into 2027
- Strike reportedly killed civilians at a wedding; 50,000 troops to remain in region
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Donald Trump has repeatedly hailed the strikes his administration has launched against Iran, and this week praised Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of the campaign, which has focused on Iranian radar stations and military sites near the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route. At the same time, the Pentagon, led by Hegseth, has extended the deployment of American forces in the Middle East, with plans now stretching into 2027, reflecting how the confrontation with Iran remains unresolved despite the administration's confident public statements.
The dispute centres on long-running tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the US maintaining a large military presence, roughly 50,000 troops, in the region to guard against missile attacks and protect shipping lanes. Hegseth, who oversees the Pentagon, is also facing scrutiny over other personnel matters following the recent departure of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, adding to questions about his leadership during an already tense period.
This matters because an extended US military commitment in the Middle East carries significant costs, both in terms of strain on troops and ships, and in terms of the risk of further escalation with Iran. Trump has ruled out negotiations with Tehran, betting instead that sanctions and economic pressure will force change, a strategy whose outcome remains uncertain and whose human cost is already visible in reported civilian casualties.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the administration's approach argue that decisive strikes on Iranian military infrastructure demonstrate resolve, degrade Tehran's capacity to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and protect American and allied forces in the region. They contend that combining military pressure with crippling sanctions is a coherent strategy that has historically forced adversarial regimes to change course, and that maintaining a substantial troop presence, while costly, provides the flexibility needed to respond to threats and reassure regional partners. From this perspective, avoiding premature negotiations denies Iran the chance to use talks as a stalling tactic while it rebuilds strength.
The case against
Critics argue that open-ended military action without a clear diplomatic endpoint risks drawing the United States into a prolonged and unpredictable conflict, as illustrated by deployments now extending into 2027 and the punishing 250-day tour of the USS Abraham Lincoln. They point to the reported deaths of civilians, including children, at a wedding party as evidence that continued strikes carry a severe human cost and risk hardening Iranian public opinion against both their own government and the West. For these critics, genuine security is better served by pursuing a negotiated resolution and easing strain on overstretched service members, rather than betting on economic collapse or popular uprising to force Tehran's hand.