Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth./FILEDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, has brought a combative style to his moment in the spotlight as de facto spokesman for the war in Iran. "We have only just begun to hunt," Hegseth, 45, told one news conference of the US-Israeli strikes, which killed several leaders of the Islamic republic. Whereas his predecessors spoke in more measured, technocratic language, Hegseth presents himself as an unapologetic frontman for the world's most powerful military. Occupying a cabinet position last year rebranded as secretary of war, he projects a sense of invincible American might and what he calls the "warrior ethos". Hegseth sometimes quotes Christian scripture and refers to the military as "my American brothers".

Source: The Star March 12, 2026 10:47 UTC