US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth guaranteed on Sunday night that Iran will ‘surrender,’ and President Donald Trump will set the terms of their defeat.
Hegseth sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS News’ ’60 Minutes,’ where he was asked what the president meant by his demand for an ‘unconditional surrender.’
‘It means we’re fighting to win. It means we set the terms,’ the Defense Secretary replied.Â
‘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. They will surrender.’
Hegseth also said it would be up to President Trump to set the terms of the surrender.
‘Whether they want to admit it or not, whether their pride lets them say it out loud or not — it’s President Trump who will set the terms of that,’ he said in the interview, following Trump’s pledge to dial up the attacks as the war in the Middle East stretches into a second week.
The head of Iran’s Military Office Abu al-Qassem Baba’iyan was killed in the latest wave of attacks, the IDF has claimed on X.Â
Iran has since retaliated to the US and Israel’s strikes, which took out Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, by launching a series of ballistic missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates and Israel on Sunday.
Clerics in the country have also announced that they have selected Khamenei’s second eldest son to be the new Supreme Leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has strong links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts ‘under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards’, according to Iranian opposition outlet Iran International.
Mojtaba is not a high-ranking cleric, has never held office and does not have an official role in the regime.
Secretary of War Hegseth says US will ensure Iran’s ‘nuclear ambitions are never achieved’
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on ’60 Minutes’ Sunday night that America is going to ‘make sure that their nuclear ambitions are never achieved,’ when asked about the operation in Iran.
‘We’re willing to go as far as we need to to be successful,’ he said.
When he was then asked about the option of sending boots on the ground, Hegseth said: ‘We reserve the right – we would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option, whether it included boots on the ground or no boots on the ground.’
Hegseth was also asked what President Donald Trump meant when he said the US is demanding ‘unconditional surrender.’
”It 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. They will surrender,’ he replied.
The Defense Secretary noted that Trump will ultimately set the terms of Iran’s surrender.
‘Whether they want to admit it or not, whether their pride lets them say it out loud or not — it’s President Trump who will set the terms of that,’ Hegseth said.
Iran responds to US bombardment which choked Tehran in black smoke: Here’s what you need to know
Iran has responded to the US bombardment by launching a wave of missiles over the UAE.
If you’re just joining us, here are the main developments:
A ‘river of fire’ engulfed Iran after an oil spill ignited Tehran amid ongoing US-Israeli air strikes.
Israel says it will ‘pursue every successor’ of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran appoints its next Supreme Leader.
Donald Trump criticises Sir Keir Starmer again, telling him: ‘We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won.’
At least 10 explosions were then heard over Tel Aviv as Iran sent a wave of missiles at Israel in retaliation for the overnight strikes.
And a new wave of missiles targeted the UAE with hundreds of missiles and almost 1,500 drones detected, most of which were destroyed.
Qatar‘s Prime Minister has delivered a blunt message to Iran saying the country has ‘betrayed us’.
In a firm rebuke of the neighbour’s military action in the Middle East, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned Iran had made a ‘dangerous miscalculation’ but urged all sides to de-escalate.
Though allies with Iran, Qatar’s relationship with the country is being tested amid repeated missile and drone attacks.
Decision to end the war will be ‘mutually decided’ between Trump and Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump told the Times of Israel on Sunday that a decision on when to end the war in Iran will be a ‘mutual’ one that he will make together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
‘I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,’ he added.
Sorffly Davius, a major in the US National Guard, had been assigned to Headquarters Battalion of the 42nd Infantry Division. He deployed to Kuwait last summer in support of Operation Spartan Shield – a mission designed to strengthen defense relationships, enhance regional security and deter aggression in the Middle East.
The 46-year-old served as a data systems engineering officer in the Division Headquarters at Camp Buehring Army Base, responsible for computer and communications network security, New York National Guard officials said.
About 200 protesters surrounded the Iranian women’s team bus on Australia’s Gold Coast, chanting ‘let them go’ after a player flashed an SOS signal, amid fears they face prison or death when they return home.
Iran’s women’s national football team is in Australia competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and were beaten 2-0 by the Philippines on Sunday night in Queensland, which ended their campaign.
After the match, about 200 protesters surrounded the team bus, banging on it and chanting ‘let them go’ as police pushed the crowd back.
Drone shot down near US base in Iraq
Iraqi air defenses shot down a drone early Monday as it approached Victoria Base, a US-operated military compound inside Baghdad International Airport, a security source told the AP on condition of anonymity.
There were no reported injuries or damage.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi militias, such as Saraya Awliya al-Dam, have previously targeted the base.
Saudi Arabia warns Tehran it will be the ‘biggest loser’ if it continues to attack Arab countries
Saudi Arabia warned Tehran on Monday that Iran would be the ‘biggest loser’ if it continues to attack Arab countries.
The kingdom dismissed comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday that Iran had halted its attacks on Gulf Arab states.
‘The kingdom affirms that the Iranian side has not implemented this statement in practice, neither during the Iranian president’s speech nor afterward,’ Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement early Monday
‘Iran has continued its aggression based on flimsy pretexts devoid of any factual basis.’
It added the Iranian attacks mean ‘further escalation which will have grave impact on the relations, currently and in the future.’
US orders non-emergency government employees to leave Saudi Arabia
The US Department of State ordered all non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave ‘due to safety risks.’
‘US citizens should complete the Crisis Intake Form to let the U.S. Embassy or consulate know they are requesting assistance,’ it advised.
Stocks plummet in Japan, South Korea
As oil and gas prices continue to rise across the world, stocks plummeted in Japan and South Korea when the markets opened Monday morning.
The stock market in Japan was down more than six percent and the stock market in South Korea was down more than seven percent.
The economies of both countries are heavily dependent on imported oil and gas.
More than 300 arrested in Qatar for posting ‘misleading information’ about war
Qatar said more than 300 people from different nationalities have been arrested over allegations of inciting public concern amid the war in the Middle East.
The Interior Ministry said they were detained for ‘filming, circulating, and publishing misleading information.’
It added that it ‘calls on the public to obtain information solely from approved official sources.
‘The Ministry also affirms that the competent authorities will not hesitate to take the necessary legal action against anyone found committing such violations.’
President Trump calls increased oil prices ‘a very small price to pay’
US President Donald Trump called the increased gas prices from the war in Iran ‘a very small price to pay for USA, and World, Safety and Peace’ in a Truth Social post Sunday night.
‘ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY,’ he asserted.
The president also argued that oil prices ‘will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over.’
Key Updates
Mojtaba Khamenei elected as Supreme Leader
Iranian military chief killed in strikes, IDF confirms
Share or comment on this article:
Pete Hegseth guarantees Iran will ‘surrender’ and Trump will set the terms as US destroys their military: Live updates
