Pete Hegseth says US ‘on plan’ in Iran war, gives no set timeline for end of conflict

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington remains “on plan” in its war with Iran, but declined to provide a clear timeline for when the conflict might end.

“We wouldn’t want to set a definitive time frame on the war’s conclusion," Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday, March 19.

He emphasized that the ultimate decision on the endgame rests with President Donald Trump, adding, “as we’ve said, we’re on plan.”

Iran still retains strike capability: Dan Caine

Addressing concerns over Iran’s continued military capabilities, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine acknowledged that Tehran entered the conflict with significant weaponry.

“They came into this fight with a lot of weapons,” Caine said, noting that US forces are maintaining aggressive operations to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile systems.

Despite those efforts, he conceded that Iran still retains “some capability” to strike US allies.

Pete Hegseth on reports of Pentagon's $200 bn funding request 

Hegseth did not deny reports that the Pentagon is seeking more than $200 billion from Congress to sustain the war effort.

“I think that number could move. It takes money to k*ll bad guys,” he said while speaking of the need for continued financial support.

The funding would cover both current operations and future contingencies, including replenishing and expanding US ammunition stockpiles.

“We’re going back to Congress… to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future,” he added, noting that stockpiles would be restored “above and beyond” previous levels.

However, the proposed funding request faces skepticism within the Trump administration. According to a senior official cited in a report by The Washington Post, some White House officials doubt whether a package exceeding $200 billion could pass Congress.

The final figure to be presented to lawmakers will ultimately be determined by the White House.

Hegseth push back stockpile concerns 

Hegseth also pushed back against concerns that the war is depleting US military stockpiles. He contrasted current priorities with those of the previous administration under Joe Biden, which had directed significant military aid to Ukraine.

“We’re also still dealing with the environment that Joe Biden created…depleting those stockholds and not sending them to our own military but to Ukraine,” Hegseth said.

He added that the administration believes US munitions are now “better spent in our own interests.”