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.