Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth underscored the importance for President Donald Trump’s administration to weaken Iran and dismantle its proxies throughout the middle east.
Secretary Hegseth’s comments were made during a press briefing after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Pentagon.
While discussing the US-Israel relationship, Hegseth remarked how both states believe “Iran remains a threat to regional security.”
Hegseth commended Israel for having “significantly degraded Iran and its proxies,” and expressed his commitment to further combat them alongside Israel.
Iran’s network of Islamic terrorist groups throughout the Middle East, colloquially known as Iran’s axis of evil, includes groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and ISIS.
Following Hamas’ brutal October 7th attacks, Hezbollah and the Houthis began similarly attacking Israel through the north and the east.
Hezbollah attacked civilian residential communities in northern Israel while the Houthis struck and stormed commercial ships associated with Israel and its allies.
While Israel deflected most attacks and severely eroded Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis’ capabilities, Iran has continued financing them, effectively supporting their recovery.
Consequently, Hegseth stated the US intends to assist Israel in further degrading Iran’s axis of evil.
Hegseth emphasized how “destroying Hamas's capabilities in Gaza, Hezbollah's capabilities in the north, damaging the Houthi infrastructure in Yemen are things that are of great importance to America.”
For now, Israel’s ceasefire agreements with Hezbollah and Hamas, which the Houthis have also largely respected, have paused major fighting.
If such ceasefires are to hold, however, remains to be seen, as Israel has repeatedly professed it will not end its war against Hamas until the latter is completely eliminated.
