Pete Hegseth explains Trump’s Iran ‘unconditional surrender’ remark: ‘We’re fighting to win’

WASHINGTON, DC: During a recent interview, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained what Donald Trump meant by the phrase “unconditional surrender.” Hegseth said the remark reflects Washington’s determination to secure a decisive victory.

According to him, the conflict with Iran means the US is “fighting to win” and will pursue that objective by all means necessary. 

He added that the pressure on Iran could eventually reach a stage where it has little option but to agree to such terms. Earlier, Trump had also addressed the phrase in a post and public remarks, outlining what he meant by “unconditional surrender” as the confrontation between the two sides intensified.

Pete Hegseth talks about 'unconditional surrender'

During an interview with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on the program '60 Minutes' on Friday, March 6, Hegseth addressed several questions about the ongoing tensions with Iran.

Garrett asked Hegseth what Trump meant when he said there would be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender.”

Responding to the question, Hegseth said, "That means we're fighting to win. It means we set the terms. We'll know when they're not capable of fighting. There'll be a point where they'll have no choice but to do that, whether they know it or not, they will be combat ineffective."

Garrett then followed up on the response, asking whether such a scenario would involve a direct, person-to-person surrender.

Hegseth replied, "Well, there are a lot of different ways, whether they want to admit it or not. Whether they're Pride, let's them say it out loud or not. It's President Trump will set the terms of that."

Trump explains ‘unconditional surrender’ demand to Iran

On Friday, March 7, Trump clarified what he meant when he called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” The comment followed a strong post he shared on Truth Social, where he ruled out any deal with Tehran.

In that post, Trump wrote, "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."

When reporters asked him to explain the phrase, Trump said, “It's where they cry uncle, or when they can't fight any longer and there's nobody around to cry uncle!” He added, “That could happen, too, because we've wiped out their leadership numerous times already.”

Trump further elaborated, “So it's if they surrender or if there is nobody around to surrender, but they're rendered useless in terms of military.” The US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, entered its ninth day as tensions continue to rise.