Washington: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed Friday to 'finish this fight' with Iran as he addressed a Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
According to Anadolu Agency, Hegseth spoke alongside President Donald Trump and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the ceremony commemorating the victims of the attacks and honoring US military personnel and first responders. Hegseth emphasized that there are still enemies who hate the United States, warning that adversaries continue to seek to curb US power and harm American citizens, while asserting that Washington remains 'vigilant' in the face of such threats.
Turning his attention to Iran, Hegseth remarked that the US had 'laid waste' to what he described as the 'world's most prolific state sponsor of terrorism' over the past six months. He accused Iran's leadership of wishing death upon the US for nearly half a century, cheering the Sept. 11 attacks, and sponsoring attacks against Americans for decades. Hegseth pointed out that the US forces had killed Iranian leaders, destroyed the country's air force and navy, and eliminated its air defenses.
Hegseth stated that the US is 'still sending terrorists where they belong to hell, and tankers to the bottom of the ocean where they belong.' He further mentioned that the US is working to ensure Iran would 'never have a nuclear weapon,' while economic pressure on Tehran continues to tighten. He asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing, 'We will finish this fight.'
President Trump, in his address, honored US troops who served in the 'war on terror,' as well as first responders and law enforcement officers. Trump expressed gratitude for the service members working to ensure that Iran, labeled as the world's number one sponsor of terror, would never possess a nuclear weapon. Reflecting on the impact of the Sept. 11 attacks, Trump spoke about the 'terrible power of hate' and the enduring strength of the American spirit to endure, prevail, and win over the past 25 years.