U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Iran will ultimately have no choice but to surrender, whether or not its leaders admit it, emphasizing that the conflict will continue until U.S. objectives are met.

Axar.az reports, citing CBS, the U.S. and Israel have already struck 3,000 targets inside Iran, and Hegseth warned that these attacks are only the beginning.

He stressed that U.S. and Israeli forces are overwhelmingly superior, and that civilian targets are not intentionally hit, despite high Iranian casualties, including more than 1,600 deaths reported by local human rights groups.

Hegseth confirmed that U.S. troops have suffered casualties, with seven service members killed so far, and more losses are expected. He highlighted that these operations strengthen resolve rather than weaken it.

The conflict has also involved other countries in the region, with Iran launching missiles and drones at Gulf allies and Russia reportedly providing intelligence to Iran.

Click to read the full interview.