Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday would not rule out the possibility of sending American ground troops to Iran or articulate the Trump administration’s exit strategy as the Pentagon attempts to secure a quick, decisive victory while limiting U.S. bloodshed. Six U.S. service members have died as a result of Iranian counterstrikes, officials said, and three advanced aircraft have been lost. A person familiar with the military’s plans, speaking like some others on the condition of anonymity because the matter is highly sensitive, said the Pentagon also was working to move more air defense assets into the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a rare on-camera media briefing on March 2, where he spoke on the Iran strikes. U.S. cyber and space capabilities were employed to blind Iranian forces in advance of the assault, Caine said.

Source: Washington Post March 02, 2026 20:40 UTC