WEBVTT 00:09.340 --> 00:12.350 Well , good morning . I stand before 00:12.350 --> 00:15.710 you today with one unmistakable message 00:15.710 --> 00:19.629 about Operation Epic Fury . America is 00:19.629 --> 00:22.459 winning decisively , devastatingly , 00:22.469 --> 00:25.969 and without mercy . Under the direct 00:25.969 --> 00:28.025 command of President Trump , the War 00:28.025 --> 00:30.025 Department unleashed this operation 00:30.025 --> 00:33.659 early Saturday morning . Just 4 days 00:33.659 --> 00:37.069 ago . Which means we need to remember 00:37.250 --> 00:40.990 two things . First , we are only 00:41.299 --> 00:44.279 4 days into this . Metrics are shifting , 00:44.360 --> 00:46.527 dust is settling , and more forces are 00:46.527 --> 00:48.650 arriving . It's very early . And as 00:48.650 --> 00:50.872 President Trump has said , we will take 00:50.872 --> 00:53.039 all the time we need to make sure that 00:53.039 --> 00:56.549 we succeed . Second , We are 00:56.549 --> 01:00.009 only 4 days into this . And the 01:00.009 --> 01:03.159 results have been incredible , historic , 01:03.240 --> 01:05.480 really . Only , only the United States 01:05.480 --> 01:08.279 of America could lead this , only us . 01:09.059 --> 01:11.150 But when you add the Israeli Defense 01:11.150 --> 01:13.930 Forces , a devastatingly capable force , 01:14.309 --> 01:16.790 the combination is sheer destruction 01:17.230 --> 01:19.330 for our radical Islamist Iranian 01:19.330 --> 01:23.169 adversaries . They are toast And they 01:23.169 --> 01:26.370 know it . Or at least soon enough , 01:26.610 --> 01:28.879 they will know it . And we have only 01:28.879 --> 01:31.269 just begun to hunt , dismantle , 01:31.550 --> 01:34.790 demoralize , destroy , and defeat their 01:34.790 --> 01:37.660 capabilities just 4 days in . 01:40.440 --> 01:42.662 Starting last night and to be completed 01:42.662 --> 01:45.940 in a few days , in under a week . The 01:45.940 --> 01:47.940 two most powerful air forces in the 01:47.940 --> 01:50.639 world will have complete control of 01:50.639 --> 01:53.400 Iranian skies , uncontested airspace . 01:54.290 --> 01:56.068 I hope all the folks watching . 01:56.620 --> 01:58.980 Understand what uncontested airspace 01:58.980 --> 02:02.099 and complete control means . It means 02:02.099 --> 02:05.779 we will fly all day , all night , day 02:05.779 --> 02:07.819 and night , finding , fixing and 02:07.819 --> 02:09.940 finishing the missiles and defense 02:09.940 --> 02:12.273 industrial base of the Iranian military , 02:12.273 --> 02:15.660 finding and fixing their leaders and 02:15.660 --> 02:17.820 their military leaders , flying over 02:17.820 --> 02:21.389 Tehran . Flying over Iran , flying over 02:21.389 --> 02:24.089 their capital , flying over the IRGC . 02:24.809 --> 02:28.740 Iranian leaders Looking up And 02:28.740 --> 02:31.600 seeing only US and Israeli airpower . 02:33.479 --> 02:36.720 Every minute of every day until we 02:36.720 --> 02:40.539 decide it's over . And Iran will be 02:40.539 --> 02:43.880 able to do nothing about it . B-2s , 02:43.970 --> 02:46.389 B-52s , B-1s , Predator drones , 02:46.520 --> 02:48.509 fighters controlling the skies , 02:48.759 --> 02:51.860 picking targets . Death and destruction 02:52.279 --> 02:55.199 from the sky all day long . 02:56.720 --> 02:58.729 We're playing for keeps . Our 02:58.729 --> 03:00.785 warfighters have maximum authorities 03:00.785 --> 03:03.007 granted personally by the president and 03:03.007 --> 03:05.118 yours truly . Our rules of engagement 03:05.118 --> 03:08.210 are bold , precise , and designed to 03:08.210 --> 03:10.543 unleash American power , not shackle it . 03:11.449 --> 03:14.210 This was never meant to be a fair fight . 03:15.080 --> 03:18.009 And it is not a fair fight . We are 03:18.009 --> 03:19.953 punching them while they're down . 03:20.490 --> 03:22.490 Which is exactly how it should be . 03:23.839 --> 03:25.960 Thus far , Operation Epic Fury has 03:25.960 --> 03:28.071 delivered twice the airpower of shock 03:28.071 --> 03:31.880 and awe of Iraq in 2003 minus 03:31.880 --> 03:34.119 Paul Bremer and the nation building . 03:35.389 --> 03:38.110 The campaign has 7 times the intensity 03:38.110 --> 03:40.332 of Israel's previous operations against 03:40.332 --> 03:42.910 Iran during the 12 Day War , 7 times . 03:44.369 --> 03:46.729 And as President Trump said , more and 03:46.729 --> 03:49.110 larger waves are coming . We are just 03:49.289 --> 03:51.990 getting started . We are accelerating , 03:52.210 --> 03:54.970 not decelerating . Iran's capabilities 03:54.970 --> 03:56.910 are evaporating by the hour while 03:56.910 --> 03:58.799 American strength grows fiercer , 03:58.799 --> 04:00.910 smarter , and utterly dominant . More 04:00.910 --> 04:03.490 bombers and more fighters are arriving 04:03.490 --> 04:07.449 just today . And now with complete 04:07.449 --> 04:10.110 control of the skies . We will be using 04:10.110 --> 04:13.809 500 pound , 1000 pound , and 2000 pound 04:13.809 --> 04:17.029 GPS and laser guided precision gravity 04:17.029 --> 04:20.010 bombs . Of which we have a nearly 04:20.010 --> 04:23.059 unlimited stockpile . We used more 04:23.059 --> 04:25.390 exquisite standoff munitions at the 04:25.390 --> 04:27.769 start but no longer need to . Our 04:27.769 --> 04:29.670 stockpiles of those , as well as 04:29.670 --> 04:32.429 Patriots , remains extremely strong . 04:33.690 --> 04:35.579 The enemy can no longer shoot the 04:35.579 --> 04:37.746 volume of missiles they once did , not 04:37.746 --> 04:39.912 even close , and the chairman will lay 04:39.912 --> 04:42.079 out some of those percentages . So our 04:42.079 --> 04:44.079 air defenses and that of our allies 04:44.079 --> 04:46.850 have plenty of runway . We can sustain 04:46.850 --> 04:50.049 this fight easily for as long as we 04:50.049 --> 04:53.950 need to . And as I said yesterday , We 04:53.950 --> 04:56.720 set the terms Now you may not see much 04:56.720 --> 04:58.799 of it because the IRGC shut off the 04:58.799 --> 05:01.132 internet to the entirety of the country . 05:01.132 --> 05:03.339 They blind their people on purpose , 05:03.799 --> 05:05.920 just like they kill their own on 05:05.920 --> 05:09.049 purpose . Much was made of the volume 05:09.049 --> 05:11.160 of missiles Iran was able to shoot in 05:11.160 --> 05:13.690 the first few days , and sadly , as we 05:13.690 --> 05:16.929 projected . If you got through And 05:16.929 --> 05:19.929 killed 6 of our best who will hopefully 05:19.929 --> 05:23.320 arrive home soon . We will avenge them 05:24.269 --> 05:28.029 No doubt . But I liken Iran's 05:28.029 --> 05:30.350 predicament to a football team who 05:30.350 --> 05:32.461 scripted the 1st 20 plays of a game . 05:33.170 --> 05:35.392 The team knew what plays to run because 05:35.392 --> 05:37.559 their first few drives were scripted . 05:38.589 --> 05:40.811 But now that the game has started , and 05:40.811 --> 05:43.429 the blitz is on . They don't know what 05:43.429 --> 05:45.651 plays to call , let alone how to get in 05:45.651 --> 05:47.540 the huddle and call those plays . 05:48.959 --> 05:51.790 Iran's senior leaders are dead . The 05:51.790 --> 05:53.957 so-called governing council that might 05:53.957 --> 05:55.790 have selected a successor dead . 05:56.500 --> 05:58.444 Missing or cowering in bunkers too 05:58.444 --> 06:00.722 terrified to even occupy the same room . 06:01.540 --> 06:03.596 Senior generals , mid-level officers 06:03.596 --> 06:05.596 enlisted ranks , they can't talk or 06:05.596 --> 06:07.373 communicate , let alone mount a 06:07.373 --> 06:09.484 coordinated and sustained offensive . 06:09.820 --> 06:12.750 That's not great for morale . The 06:12.750 --> 06:15.859 Iranian Air Force is no more built for 06:15.859 --> 06:19.239 1996 , destroyed in 2026 . 06:20.339 --> 06:22.579 The Iranian navy rests at the bottom of 06:22.579 --> 06:25.640 the Persian Gulf . Combat ineffective , 06:25.760 --> 06:28.799 decimated , destroyed , defeated , pick 06:28.799 --> 06:31.019 your adjective . In fact , last night 06:31.519 --> 06:34.029 we sunk their prize ship . The 06:34.029 --> 06:37.910 Soleimani Looks like POTUS got him 06:37.910 --> 06:41.179 twice . Their navy not a factor . Pick 06:41.179 --> 06:43.489 your adjective , it is no more . In 06:43.489 --> 06:46.380 fact , yesterday in the Indian Ocean . 06:47.299 --> 06:49.521 And we'll play it on the screen there . 06:49.521 --> 06:52.010 An American submarine sunk an Iranian 06:52.010 --> 06:55.220 warship that thought it was safe in 06:55.220 --> 06:57.790 international waters . Instead it was 06:57.790 --> 07:00.750 sunk by a torpedo , quiet death . 07:01.769 --> 07:03.991 The first sinking of an enemy ship by a 07:03.991 --> 07:07.160 torpedo since World War II . Like in 07:07.160 --> 07:09.399 that war , back when we were still the 07:09.399 --> 07:12.529 War Department . We are fighting to win . 07:14.040 --> 07:16.769 Also yesterday , the leader of the unit 07:16.769 --> 07:18.936 who attempted to assassinate President 07:18.936 --> 07:21.429 Trump has been hunted down and killed . 07:22.540 --> 07:25.179 Iran tried to kill President Trump and 07:25.179 --> 07:27.235 President Trump got the last laugh . 07:27.899 --> 07:31.230 Now , This is not a mission 07:31.230 --> 07:35.040 accomplished situation . This is 07:35.040 --> 07:38.029 simply a reality check . The 07:38.029 --> 07:40.190 combination of US and Israeli 07:40.190 --> 07:42.910 intelligence and combat power will 07:42.910 --> 07:45.790 control Iran . And we'll control it 07:45.790 --> 07:48.640 soon . Sure , Iran will still be able 07:48.640 --> 07:50.850 to shoot some missiles . And still be 07:50.850 --> 07:53.072 able to launch one-way attack drones at 07:53.072 --> 07:55.128 civilian targets , and their proxies 07:55.128 --> 07:57.294 will attempt to attack our embassies , 07:57.294 --> 07:59.649 bases and soft targets . They are 07:59.660 --> 08:02.690 terrorists after all . And they need to 08:02.690 --> 08:05.350 target civilians . Because they can't 08:05.350 --> 08:07.350 fight toe to toe , but we will find 08:07.350 --> 08:09.390 them . And we will kill them 08:11.299 --> 08:13.299 This is what the fake news misses . 08:14.410 --> 08:16.577 We've taken control of Iran's airspace 08:16.577 --> 08:19.049 and waterways without boots on the 08:19.049 --> 08:22.760 ground . We control their fate But when 08:22.760 --> 08:25.739 a few drones get through , Or tragic 08:25.739 --> 08:28.679 things happen . It's front page news . 08:29.140 --> 08:31.362 I get it . The press only wants to make 08:31.362 --> 08:33.418 the president look bad , but try for 08:33.418 --> 08:36.098 once to report the reality . The terms 08:36.098 --> 08:38.879 of this war will be set by us at every 08:38.879 --> 08:41.960 step . As I said Monday , the mission 08:41.960 --> 08:45.539 is laser focused . Obliterate Iran's 08:45.539 --> 08:47.761 missiles and drones and facilities that 08:47.761 --> 08:49.928 produce them , annihilate its navy and 08:49.928 --> 08:52.095 critical security infrastructure , and 08:52.095 --> 08:54.372 sever their pathway to nuclear weapons . 08:54.372 --> 08:56.650 Iran will never possess a nuclear bomb , 08:57.020 --> 09:00.330 not on our watch , not ever . And this 09:00.330 --> 09:02.497 is why President Trump's moral clarity 09:02.497 --> 09:05.280 on Iran today is so vital . Unlike the 09:05.280 --> 09:07.447 past where vague red lines and endless 09:07.447 --> 09:09.760 negotiations let Iran fund terror and 09:09.919 --> 09:12.200 inch ever so slightly toward a bomb . 09:13.039 --> 09:15.206 This president sees the threat plainly 09:15.206 --> 09:17.150 and acts decisively . No more half 09:17.150 --> 09:19.261 measures , especially when Iran is at 09:19.261 --> 09:21.979 its weakest . No more letting Tehran 09:21.979 --> 09:24.146 play for time while our people pay the 09:24.146 --> 09:26.869 price . His leadership ensures that we 09:26.869 --> 09:29.250 finish what we start . And that we 09:29.250 --> 09:31.489 protect our warfighters by crushing the 09:31.489 --> 09:33.750 enemy before they can strike again . 09:34.770 --> 09:36.729 Our offensive operations refined 09:36.729 --> 09:38.340 through months of relentless 09:38.340 --> 09:41.880 preparation are unstoppable . And our 09:41.880 --> 09:44.669 defensive efforts . Are unprecedented 09:45.630 --> 09:47.352 We have from the start put the 09:47.352 --> 09:49.241 protection of our troops ahead of 09:50.179 --> 09:53.460 everything else . Before we very 09:53.460 --> 09:55.539 publicly built up offensive combat 09:55.539 --> 09:58.619 power . We quietly ensured that our 09:58.619 --> 10:01.059 defensive posture and power was in 10:01.059 --> 10:03.750 place . And as we built up offensive 10:03.750 --> 10:05.583 combat power , we moved the vast 10:05.583 --> 10:08.630 majority of American troops , over 90% 10:08.630 --> 10:10.741 of Americans that were on our bases , 10:10.789 --> 10:13.590 what we say off the X . Out of the 10:13.590 --> 10:17.219 range of Iranian fire . Our defensive 10:17.219 --> 10:19.669 shield is equally formidable , the most 10:19.669 --> 10:21.780 sophisticated air and missile defense 10:21.780 --> 10:23.909 network ever fielded . Thousands of 10:23.909 --> 10:26.020 Iranian missiles and drones have been 10:26.020 --> 10:28.590 intercepted and vaporized . Tens of 10:28.590 --> 10:31.099 thousands of American and allied lives 10:31.109 --> 10:33.640 protected . We have pushed every 10:33.710 --> 10:35.710 counter UAS system possible forward 10:35.710 --> 10:39.039 sparing no expense or capability . And 10:39.039 --> 10:41.261 like I said , this does not mean we can 10:41.261 --> 10:43.372 stop everything . But we ensured that 10:43.372 --> 10:45.206 the maximum possible defense and 10:45.206 --> 10:47.317 maximum possible force protection was 10:47.317 --> 10:51.219 set up before we went on offense . In 10:51.219 --> 10:53.108 closing , as President Trump told 10:53.419 --> 10:55.419 German Chancellor Mertz yesterday . 10:55.909 --> 10:58.840 Iran negotiated in bad faith , stalling , 10:58.909 --> 11:00.965 scheming , and preparing to strike . 11:01.369 --> 11:03.849 And we acted decisively to defend our 11:03.849 --> 11:06.510 people , our interests , and our allies . 11:07.409 --> 11:09.353 President Trump took bold action . 11:09.750 --> 11:11.750 Putting America first , the kind of 11:11.750 --> 11:13.969 bold action that the American people 11:14.109 --> 11:17.159 elected him to execute . To our 11:17.159 --> 11:20.830 steadfast partner Israel . Your mission 11:21.169 --> 11:23.450 is being executed with unmatched skill 11:23.450 --> 11:25.969 and iron determination . Fighting 11:25.969 --> 11:27.802 shoulder to shoulder with such a 11:27.802 --> 11:31.270 capable ally is a true force multiplier 11:31.609 --> 11:35.109 and a breath of fresh air . We salute 11:35.109 --> 11:37.650 your courage And your contribution . 11:38.960 --> 11:42.400 4 days in , we have only just 11:42.400 --> 11:46.210 begun to fight . America fights to win 11:46.940 --> 11:49.700 And in Operation Epic Fury we are . 11:50.789 --> 11:53.010 May God's providence cover and protect 11:53.349 --> 11:56.469 our troops always . And with that , I 11:56.469 --> 11:58.525 turn it over to the chairman . Thank 11:58.525 --> 12:00.858 you , Mr . Secretary , and good morning , 12:00.858 --> 12:00.799 everyone . Thank you for being here . 12:00.909 --> 12:03.076 I'm here today to provide the American 12:03.076 --> 12:05.298 people and those of you in this room an 12:05.298 --> 12:08.130 update on Operation Epic Fury . First , 12:08.390 --> 12:10.409 it's with profound sadness and 12:10.409 --> 12:13.590 gratitude that I share the names of 4 12:13.590 --> 12:16.590 of our six fallen heroes , all from the 12:16.590 --> 12:20.229 103rd Sustainment Command . US Army 12:20.229 --> 12:22.229 Reserves out of Des Moines , Iowa . 12:22.590 --> 12:25.309 Captain Cody Cork , Sergeant First 12:25.309 --> 12:28.190 Class Noah Tegens , Sergeant First 12:28.190 --> 12:31.590 Class Nicole Ammo , and Sergeant Declan 12:31.590 --> 12:34.770 Cody . To the families of our fallen , 12:35.020 --> 12:37.469 we grieve with you today and we look 12:37.469 --> 12:39.302 forward to welcoming your family 12:39.302 --> 12:41.510 members home at Dover in the coming 12:41.510 --> 12:44.390 days . Out of respect for the other 12:44.390 --> 12:46.501 families , we'll withhold the release 12:46.501 --> 12:48.909 of their names until next of kin 12:48.909 --> 12:52.059 notification is complete , and either 12:52.059 --> 12:54.469 myself or Admiral Cooper will release 12:54.469 --> 12:56.650 those names as soon as we can ensure 12:56.650 --> 12:58.706 that all of those families have been 12:58.706 --> 13:01.090 properly notified . To our Gold Star 13:01.090 --> 13:03.650 families , to our wounded warriors and 13:03.650 --> 13:06.309 their loved ones , we will never forget 13:06.450 --> 13:09.250 your sacrifice . Our nation stands with 13:09.250 --> 13:11.472 you , and we are eternally grateful for 13:11.472 --> 13:14.250 your courage , your resiliency , your 13:14.250 --> 13:16.520 devotion to this mission and to our 13:16.520 --> 13:19.119 nation . As the Secretary said , we're 13:19.119 --> 13:21.880 4 days in , 103 hours into this 13:21.880 --> 13:23.919 campaign . The operation was again 13:23.919 --> 13:26.141 launched with clear military objectives 13:26.141 --> 13:28.500 designed to dismantle Iran's ability to 13:28.500 --> 13:30.556 project power outside of its borders 13:30.556 --> 13:33.419 both today and in the future . First , 13:33.520 --> 13:35.742 we are targeting and eliminating Iran's 13:35.742 --> 13:37.798 ballistic missile systems to prevent 13:37.798 --> 13:40.280 them from threatening the US forces , 13:40.440 --> 13:42.718 partners , and interests in the region . 13:42.799 --> 13:44.966 Second , we are destroying the Iranian 13:44.966 --> 13:46.743 navy , degrading its capacity , 13:46.799 --> 13:49.650 capability . Uh , and ability to 13:49.650 --> 13:52.409 conduct operations , not just in the 13:52.409 --> 13:54.520 Central Command AOR but as the 13:54.520 --> 13:56.576 Secretary showed in the video around 13:56.576 --> 13:59.090 the world . Third , we're ensuring Iran 13:59.090 --> 14:02.390 cannot rapidly rebuild or reconstitute 14:02.760 --> 14:05.729 its combat capability or combat power , 14:05.770 --> 14:08.820 and those phases will begin as the 14:08.820 --> 14:11.609 campaign continues . As of this morning , 14:11.989 --> 14:14.049 uh , US Central Command is making 14:14.049 --> 14:16.929 steady progress . Iran's theater 14:16.929 --> 14:19.909 ballistic missile shots fired are down 14:19.909 --> 14:23.260 86% from the first day of fighting , 14:23.489 --> 14:27.369 with a 23% decrease just in the last 24 14:27.369 --> 14:30.049 hours , and their one-way attack drone 14:30.049 --> 14:33.820 shots are down 73% from the opening 14:33.820 --> 14:37.039 days . This progress has allowed CEO to 14:37.039 --> 14:40.520 establish localized air superiority 14:40.520 --> 14:42.353 across the southern flank of the 14:42.353 --> 14:44.830 Iranian coast and penetrate their 14:44.830 --> 14:47.359 defenses with overwhelming precision 14:47.359 --> 14:50.474 and firepower . We will now begin . To 14:50.474 --> 14:53.965 expand inland , striking progressively 14:53.965 --> 14:56.684 deeper into Iranian territory and 14:56.684 --> 14:59.125 creating additional freedom of maneuver 14:59.125 --> 15:02.125 for US forces . Let me explain a little 15:02.125 --> 15:04.069 bit about how we're thinking about 15:04.069 --> 15:06.465 staying ahead of the enemy . First , 15:06.565 --> 15:08.676 over the past several weeks , Admiral 15:08.676 --> 15:10.509 Cooper and the CENTCOM team have 15:10.509 --> 15:12.621 refined their operational approach to 15:12.621 --> 15:15.630 the region . Their planners identified 15:15.630 --> 15:18.869 key centers of gravity that would allow 15:18.869 --> 15:21.590 Iran to project power outside of its 15:21.590 --> 15:23.710 borders . They thought about how to 15:23.710 --> 15:26.030 isolate critical vulnerabilities and 15:26.030 --> 15:29.309 determined where with precision , the 15:29.309 --> 15:31.710 greatest strategic effect could be 15:31.710 --> 15:33.849 achieved . As a result of this , 15:33.929 --> 15:36.989 CENTCOM is now shifting in day 4 15:36.989 --> 15:39.650 already from large deliberate strike 15:39.650 --> 15:42.369 packages using standoff munitions at 15:42.369 --> 15:45.010 range outside an enemy's ability to 15:45.010 --> 15:48.669 shoot at us now into stand-in precision 15:49.289 --> 15:52.835 strikes over . Phead , Iran , as the 15:52.835 --> 15:54.835 Secretary said , this is a point of 15:54.835 --> 15:57.195 munitions transition from standoff 15:57.195 --> 16:00.234 munitions to stand-in munitions like 16:00.234 --> 16:02.345 joint direct attack munitions , which 16:02.345 --> 16:05.594 are GPS aided free fall weapons and 16:05.594 --> 16:07.955 other things like hellfires , etc . 16:08.919 --> 16:11.349 This will allow the joint force to 16:11.349 --> 16:13.960 deliver significantly increased 16:13.960 --> 16:16.440 precision effects on the target . The 16:16.440 --> 16:18.200 throttle is coming up , as the 16:18.200 --> 16:20.880 Secretary said , as opposed to ramping 16:20.880 --> 16:23.080 down . This will allow us to maintain 16:23.080 --> 16:25.479 consistent pressure on the adversary 16:25.479 --> 16:27.535 over the coming days , disrupt their 16:27.535 --> 16:29.535 launch timelines , and impose costs 16:29.535 --> 16:31.869 every day around the clock . I know 16:31.869 --> 16:33.813 there have been a lot of questions 16:33.813 --> 16:36.530 about munitions . We have sufficient 16:36.530 --> 16:38.719 precision munitions for the task at 16:38.719 --> 16:41.030 hand , both on the offense and defense . 16:41.380 --> 16:43.602 But I want to tell you , teammates , as 16:43.602 --> 16:45.769 a matter of practice , I don't want to 16:45.769 --> 16:47.769 be talking about quantities . And I 16:47.769 --> 16:49.936 know there's been a great debate about 16:49.936 --> 16:49.929 that , and I appreciate the interest , 16:50.039 --> 16:52.530 but just know that we consider that an 16:52.530 --> 16:54.586 operational security matter . Let me 16:54.586 --> 16:56.641 flip to the map here . Hopefully , I 16:56.641 --> 16:58.974 don't kill anybody with a laser pointer . 16:58.974 --> 17:02.179 Um , Uh , as I mentioned earlier and uh 17:02.179 --> 17:04.290 for you with the camera right there , 17:04.290 --> 17:06.512 my friend , I hope I don't ricochet off 17:06.512 --> 17:08.679 and hurt you . Over the initial days , 17:08.679 --> 17:11.020 the US Joint Forces continued to attack 17:11.020 --> 17:14.300 and a ballistic missile capabilities as 17:14.300 --> 17:16.022 well as integrated air defense 17:16.022 --> 17:18.189 capabilities along the southern axis . 17:18.390 --> 17:20.660 Along the northern axis , Israel and 17:20.660 --> 17:22.882 the Israeli Air Force has predominantly 17:22.882 --> 17:24.882 been working integrated air defense 17:24.882 --> 17:27.339 targets along the northern flank , as 17:27.339 --> 17:29.493 well as . Medium range ballistic 17:29.493 --> 17:32.093 missile capability as well . From the 17:32.093 --> 17:34.453 sea , the USS Ford has continued to 17:34.453 --> 17:36.932 project combat power here , as well as 17:36.932 --> 17:39.532 the bomber pulses that we talked about 17:39.532 --> 17:41.802 in the , uh , in the opening days of , 17:41.812 --> 17:43.973 uh , of this briefing . Along the 17:43.973 --> 17:46.812 southern axis , uh , the USS Abraham 17:46.812 --> 17:48.923 Lincoln strike group has continued to 17:48.923 --> 17:51.206 provide pressure . Uh , from the sea 17:51.206 --> 17:53.286 along the southeastern side of the 17:53.286 --> 17:55.566 coast and has been a treading naval 17:55.566 --> 17:58.005 capability all along the strait and up 17:58.005 --> 18:00.595 into the Arabian Gulf at a size and 18:00.595 --> 18:03.086 scale sufficiently , uh , to address 18:03.086 --> 18:05.485 the targets , uh , required . To date , 18:05.526 --> 18:07.595 we've hit over 2000 targets , as 18:07.595 --> 18:10.526 Admiral Cooper said in his video last 18:10.526 --> 18:13.630 night . We've destroyed more than 20 18:13.630 --> 18:16.099 Iranian naval vessels , including , in 18:16.099 --> 18:19.540 addition to the frigate outside of the 18:19.540 --> 18:23.060 area , one submarine , and effectively 18:23.060 --> 18:25.369 neutralized at this point in time 18:25.670 --> 18:28.989 Iran's major naval presence in theater 18:28.989 --> 18:31.709 out there . Um , as the secretary 18:31.709 --> 18:33.709 showed the video for the first time 18:33.709 --> 18:36.869 since 1945 , a United States Navy fast 18:36.869 --> 18:38.813 attack submarine has sunk an enemy 18:38.813 --> 18:41.270 combatant ship , uh , using a single 18:41.270 --> 18:43.910 Mark 48 torpedo to achieve immediate 18:43.910 --> 18:45.910 effect , sending the warship to the 18:45.910 --> 18:47.966 bottom of the sea . I want to remind 18:47.966 --> 18:50.021 everybody that this is an incredible 18:50.021 --> 18:52.243 demonstration of America's global reach 18:52.243 --> 18:54.243 to hunt , find , and kill an out of 18:54.243 --> 18:56.299 area deployer is something that only 18:56.299 --> 18:58.410 the United States can do at this type 18:58.410 --> 19:01.160 of scale . Over the next 24 to 48 hours , 19:01.280 --> 19:03.058 CENTCOM will continue to strike 19:03.058 --> 19:05.169 infrastructure and naval capability , 19:05.359 --> 19:07.640 and we'll continue to assess our 19:07.640 --> 19:09.307 progress against the military 19:09.307 --> 19:11.469 objectives . It does take time for us 19:11.469 --> 19:13.680 to collect that information and to 19:13.680 --> 19:15.579 assess en route . Much of our 19:15.579 --> 19:17.468 intelligence , surveillance , and 19:17.468 --> 19:20.040 reconnaissance capability is currently 19:20.040 --> 19:22.160 hunting and killing , uh , ballistic 19:22.160 --> 19:24.160 missile launchers in one-way attack 19:24.160 --> 19:26.959 capability . We're precise in that 19:26.959 --> 19:28.903 assessment , and we call balls and 19:28.903 --> 19:31.410 strikes in that assessment . Uh , we , 19:31.560 --> 19:33.782 we take , we take , uh , we take that , 19:33.782 --> 19:36.520 that , that matter seriously . Iran , 19:36.560 --> 19:38.171 on the other hand , has been 19:38.171 --> 19:40.227 indiscriminate and more imprecise in 19:40.227 --> 19:42.282 their attacks . They fired more than 19:42.282 --> 19:44.338 500 ballistic missiles and more than 19:44.338 --> 19:46.479 2000 drones , striking innocent 19:46.479 --> 19:48.757 civilian targets throughout the region . 19:48.757 --> 19:51.579 Our partners are answering the call to 19:51.579 --> 19:54.300 defend themselves right alongside us . 19:54.660 --> 19:56.979 Jordan , Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , the 19:56.979 --> 19:59.300 UAE , Qatar , and Kuwait are all 19:59.300 --> 20:01.411 defending their people with their own 20:01.411 --> 20:03.979 combat capability , with precision and 20:03.979 --> 20:06.739 restraint . Jordanian air defense crews 20:06.739 --> 20:08.660 recently intercepted a cluster of 20:08.660 --> 20:11.140 Iranian one-way attack drones headed to 20:11.140 --> 20:14.069 Amman . Bahrain's air defense forces 20:14.069 --> 20:16.236 shot down an inbound drone approaching 20:16.236 --> 20:18.180 Manama's maritime infrastructure , 20:18.390 --> 20:20.446 protecting both their population and 20:20.446 --> 20:22.790 critical shipping lanes . Saudi Patriot 20:22.790 --> 20:25.270 batteries stopped a salvo of ballistic 20:25.270 --> 20:27.430 missiles aimed at energy facilities 20:27.430 --> 20:30.790 near Dahran . The UAE neutralized 20:30.790 --> 20:32.989 multiple drones targeting Abu Dhabi's 20:32.989 --> 20:35.390 industrial zone , demonstrating speed 20:35.390 --> 20:39.089 and precision . And Qatar , Qatari 20:39.089 --> 20:41.200 fighters for the first time have shot 20:41.200 --> 20:43.680 down two Iranian bombers that were en 20:43.680 --> 20:46.609 route to their location . Together 20:46.609 --> 20:48.849 these nations are helping to defend 20:48.849 --> 20:51.250 themselves and project power as 20:51.250 --> 20:54.199 required against the enemy . We're 100 20:54.199 --> 20:56.310 hours in . It's still very early , as 20:56.310 --> 20:58.532 the secretary said , but the balance is 20:58.532 --> 21:00.755 shifting . We've always got to remember 21:00.755 --> 21:02.755 that these operations are complex , 21:02.755 --> 21:04.760 dangerous , and far from over . Our 21:04.760 --> 21:07.160 soldiers , sailors , airmen , marines , 21:07.239 --> 21:09.599 guardians , and coastguard guardsmen 21:09.599 --> 21:11.710 remain in harm's way , and we must be 21:11.710 --> 21:13.988 clear-eyed that the risk is still high . 21:14.359 --> 21:16.680 Um , this is combat . Let us never 21:16.680 --> 21:19.160 forget this . As we continue , I ask 21:19.160 --> 21:20.993 that we hold all of our deployed 21:20.993 --> 21:22.882 teammates in our thoughts , those 21:22.882 --> 21:25.216 standing the watch , flying the sorties , 21:25.216 --> 21:27.438 sustaining the fight , and carrying our 21:27.438 --> 21:30.239 nation's burden . And I'll stop where I 21:30.239 --> 21:32.295 started , and that's remembering our 21:32.295 --> 21:34.800 six fallen who will return home as soon 21:34.800 --> 21:37.180 as possible . I remain humbled . 21:37.859 --> 21:40.969 Grateful , inspired by every day the 21:40.969 --> 21:44.020 valor and professionalism of our joint 21:44.020 --> 21:46.670 force . They are quiet professionals 21:46.910 --> 21:49.050 through and through out there doing 21:49.050 --> 21:50.994 America's work through the day and 21:50.994 --> 21:53.161 through the darkness . And with that , 21:53.161 --> 21:55.383 I'll take your questions along with the 21:55.383 --> 21:58.349 secretary . Go ahead . What do you 21:58.349 --> 22:00.516 assess the enemy's control and command 22:00.516 --> 22:03.030 status is right now ? And can you 22:03.030 --> 22:05.589 broadly describe our decisive point in 22:05.589 --> 22:08.569 this operation ? Oh , I won't describe 22:08.569 --> 22:10.569 the decisive point in the operation 22:10.569 --> 22:12.625 because that would tell the bad guys 22:12.625 --> 22:14.625 what it was . Um , I appreciate the 22:14.625 --> 22:16.791 question . Um , their C2 structures in 22:16.791 --> 22:18.640 a , in a bad way . Uh , Admiral 22:18.640 --> 22:21.209 Cooper's been continuing to pressure C2 22:21.449 --> 22:24.810 at the , uh , IRGCC2 and other military 22:24.810 --> 22:27.032 elements , and will continue to do so . 22:27.032 --> 22:29.254 Thank you for the question . Uh , thank 22:29.254 --> 22:31.477 you , Secretary Hegseth . Mary Margaret 22:31.477 --> 22:33.254 with the Daily Wire . Couple of 22:33.254 --> 22:33.130 questions for you and then one for 22:33.130 --> 22:35.130 General Kane . Can you tell us more 22:35.130 --> 22:37.186 about how we took out the leader who 22:37.186 --> 22:39.408 was , uh , the leader of the group that 22:39.408 --> 22:41.408 was trying to assassinate President 22:41.408 --> 22:43.297 Trump ? And then Turkey's Defense 22:43.297 --> 22:45.463 Ministry says NATO air defense systems 22:45.463 --> 22:45.260 intercepted an Iranian ballistic 22:45.260 --> 22:47.729 missile headed towards Turkish airspace . 22:48.130 --> 22:50.241 Could this trigger NATO's Article 5 , 22:50.241 --> 22:53.199 and was it the US who shot it down ? Uh , 22:53.270 --> 22:55.959 on the , on the first question , uh , 22:56.780 --> 22:58.891 We've known for a long time that Iran 22:58.891 --> 23:00.724 had intentions on trying to kill 23:00.724 --> 23:03.890 President Trump and or other US US 23:03.890 --> 23:06.112 officials , uh , and while that was not 23:06.112 --> 23:08.279 the focus of the effort by any stretch 23:08.279 --> 23:10.334 of the imagination , in fact , never 23:10.334 --> 23:12.668 raised by the president or anybody else , 23:12.668 --> 23:14.779 um , I ensured and and others ensured 23:14.779 --> 23:16.779 that those who were responsible for 23:16.779 --> 23:19.001 that were eventually part of the target 23:19.001 --> 23:21.112 list . It wasn't the , uh , beginning 23:21.112 --> 23:23.334 of the effort . We were focused on . On 23:23.334 --> 23:25.446 missiles and launchers and that's the 23:25.446 --> 23:27.501 focus , but ultimately if we had the 23:27.501 --> 23:26.750 opportunity to get at those who are 23:26.750 --> 23:29.083 trying to get at Americans specifically , 23:29.083 --> 23:32.439 we would , um , and so we eventually 23:32.439 --> 23:34.661 had the opportunity to do that from the 23:34.661 --> 23:36.883 air , uh , and then on the , the matter 23:36.883 --> 23:38.883 with Turkey , uh , I'll have to get 23:38.883 --> 23:40.661 back to you on exactly what the 23:40.661 --> 23:40.579 intercept looked like at that we're 23:40.579 --> 23:42.690 aware of that particular engagement , 23:42.690 --> 23:45.040 um , although no , uh , no sense that 23:45.040 --> 23:47.207 it would trigger anything like Article 23:47.207 --> 23:50.449 5 , no tie right there . You got a tie 23:50.449 --> 23:52.449 on . Yeah , yeah , uh , thank you , 23:52.449 --> 23:54.616 come back to the BBC . Can you give us 23:54.616 --> 23:56.671 an update on what the administration 23:56.671 --> 23:58.671 knows , what you know now about the 23:58.671 --> 24:00.782 reported strike on a girls' school in 24:00.782 --> 24:02.949 southern Iran on Saturday ? Um , all I 24:02.949 --> 24:04.893 know , all I can say is that we're 24:04.893 --> 24:07.060 investigating that . Um , we of course 24:07.060 --> 24:09.227 never target . Uh , civilian targets , 24:09.227 --> 24:11.227 but we're , we're taking a look and 24:11.227 --> 24:13.338 investigating that red tie in front . 24:13.338 --> 24:15.393 Uh , just on the basis that with the 24:15.393 --> 24:15.050 information you would have , your 24:15.050 --> 24:17.489 reconnaissance abilities , uh , ability 24:17.489 --> 24:19.600 to gather information , I mean , it's 24:19.600 --> 24:21.711 several days on now . So is there any 24:21.711 --> 24:23.767 clarity on whose munition this was ? 24:24.290 --> 24:26.346 We're investigating it . Thank you . 24:26.910 --> 24:29.150 Secretary , so there are reports that 24:29.150 --> 24:31.359 the administration is considering 24:31.359 --> 24:34.229 arming Iranian Kurdish groups . So 24:34.229 --> 24:36.670 could you please clarify that whether 24:36.670 --> 24:39.810 any such plan has been authorized or 24:40.150 --> 24:43.069 and whether Congress or regional 24:43.069 --> 24:45.349 partners has been notified and 24:46.150 --> 24:48.829 consulted . All I would say is none of 24:48.829 --> 24:51.750 our objectives are premised on the . 24:51.849 --> 24:54.209 Support of the arming of , of any , any 24:54.209 --> 24:56.042 particular force . So what other 24:56.042 --> 24:58.609 entities may be doing we're aware of , 24:58.770 --> 25:00.992 uh , but our objectives aren't centered 25:00.992 --> 25:02.937 on that . Uh , green right there . 25:03.290 --> 25:05.401 Thank you , Mr . Secretary Mike Flynn 25:05.401 --> 25:07.512 The Washington Times . Can you talk a 25:07.512 --> 25:09.457 little bit about the deconfliction 25:09.457 --> 25:09.329 process that's going on ? You have two 25:09.329 --> 25:11.329 parallel operations , Epic Fury and 25:11.329 --> 25:13.496 Roaring Lion . How are you making sure 25:13.496 --> 25:15.829 they're not interfering with each other ? 25:15.829 --> 25:17.940 Sure , I'm happy to take that . Thank 25:17.940 --> 25:17.699 you , thank you for the question . Um , 25:17.790 --> 25:19.679 we , we've , uh , we have liaison 25:19.679 --> 25:22.550 officers on both sides . Uh , there are 25:22.550 --> 25:24.494 US CENTCOM teammates , uh , out in 25:24.494 --> 25:26.606 Israel , and there are , uh , Israeli 25:26.606 --> 25:28.717 Defense Force teammates , uh , at the 25:28.717 --> 25:30.717 relevant , uh , command and control 25:30.717 --> 25:32.939 nodes within the US CENCOM enterprise . 25:33.040 --> 25:35.262 Uh , routinely , uh , Admiral Cooper is 25:35.262 --> 25:37.207 talking to the , uh , IDF Chief of 25:37.207 --> 25:39.689 Defense , and I will occasionally speak 25:39.689 --> 25:42.030 to him , uh , through the arc of this . 25:42.109 --> 25:44.387 I've spoken to him a few times already . 25:44.387 --> 25:46.387 Uh , that allows us to coordinate , 25:46.387 --> 25:48.553 integrate , and synchronize activities 25:48.553 --> 25:50.442 while maintaining separate , uh , 25:50.442 --> 25:52.498 separate efforts . And when I said a 25:52.498 --> 25:54.831 breath of fresh air , I really meant it . 25:54.831 --> 25:56.942 Uh , usually it's us with , uh , some 25:56.942 --> 25:59.109 ancillary benefits from allies who are 25:59.109 --> 26:01.331 maybe willing but not as capable . Uh , 26:01.331 --> 26:00.910 when you have both the will and the 26:00.910 --> 26:03.349 capability , uh , of an ally , uh , 26:03.410 --> 26:05.577 that , that can really bring things to 26:05.577 --> 26:07.688 bear . We take certain targets , they 26:07.688 --> 26:07.589 take certain targets , and we 26:07.589 --> 26:09.478 coordinate it , it has incredible 26:09.478 --> 26:11.930 effects . Secretary Hague said , um , 26:12.000 --> 26:14.130 with respect to House Minority Leader 26:14.130 --> 26:16.130 Hakeem Jeffrey's statement that the 26:16.130 --> 26:18.352 Iran mission will end in failure , what 26:18.352 --> 26:20.463 kind of message does that send to our 26:20.463 --> 26:22.408 enemies and what does it do to the 26:22.408 --> 26:24.739 motivation of our troops ? Well , I've 26:24.739 --> 26:27.030 been through that movie before . With 26:27.030 --> 26:28.919 the Democrats rooting against the 26:28.919 --> 26:30.974 country , our generation saw that in 26:30.974 --> 26:33.089 our battlefields . Uh , I think it's 26:33.089 --> 26:35.145 pretty unprecedented and unfortunate 26:35.145 --> 26:37.959 that it would occur 4 days in an 26:37.959 --> 26:40.126 operation where , as the chairman laid 26:40.126 --> 26:42.369 out , uh , America's best are operating 26:42.369 --> 26:43.980 in an incredibly challenging 26:43.980 --> 26:45.925 environment , uh , where they're , 26:45.925 --> 26:48.147 they're having incredible success , but 26:48.147 --> 26:50.036 they're meeting an , a determined 26:50.036 --> 26:52.630 adversary , and , uh , I would . He's 26:52.630 --> 26:54.449 been privy to briefs that we've 26:54.449 --> 26:56.616 provided . He knows how effective this 26:56.616 --> 26:58.671 has been . He's being disingenuous , 26:58.671 --> 27:00.782 which I'm , which we're used to right 27:00.782 --> 27:00.609 here . Thank you for taking my question , 27:00.760 --> 27:03.270 uh , Heather Mullins , Syndell TV . Uh , 27:03.359 --> 27:05.359 one of the questions I have is just 27:05.359 --> 27:07.526 really regarding the intelligence that 27:07.526 --> 27:09.637 indicated that this was something the 27:09.637 --> 27:11.859 US had to get involved with at the time 27:11.859 --> 27:13.915 that you guys did . We had Operation 27:13.915 --> 27:15.803 Midnight Hammer back in June . We 27:15.803 --> 27:17.970 obliterated their nuclear facilities . 27:17.970 --> 27:19.692 What was the intelligence that 27:19.692 --> 27:21.748 suggested that somehow they became a 27:21.748 --> 27:23.859 threat once again that required us to 27:23.859 --> 27:26.026 get involved with Operation Eppifu ? I 27:26.026 --> 27:27.970 appreciate the question . Uh , the 27:27.970 --> 27:30.026 evidence in front of us since the 12 27:30.026 --> 27:31.810 Day War , was that Iran had no 27:31.810 --> 27:34.410 intention of actually negotiating a 27:34.410 --> 27:36.577 nuclear deal that truly meant they did 27:36.577 --> 27:38.854 not have a pathway to the nuclear bomb , 27:38.854 --> 27:40.810 and they had a moment . Uh , Jared 27:40.810 --> 27:43.420 Kushner and Steve Witkoff , uh , two of 27:43.420 --> 27:45.420 the best negotiators in the world , 27:45.420 --> 27:47.531 poured into that negotiation , giving 27:47.531 --> 27:49.698 them every single possible opportunity 27:49.698 --> 27:51.531 to , to release that , uh , that 27:51.531 --> 27:53.587 ambition . And they didn't , and the 27:53.587 --> 27:55.476 intelligence that we saw saw they 27:55.476 --> 27:57.642 didn't intend to do it in good faith , 27:57.642 --> 27:59.531 uh , that they had the intentions 27:59.531 --> 28:01.531 eventually to get , uh , to a place 28:01.531 --> 28:03.142 where they could have that a 28:03.142 --> 28:05.087 conventional shield to block their 28:05.087 --> 28:07.253 nuclear capabilities as I talked about 28:07.253 --> 28:09.253 yesterday . So I would separate the 28:09.253 --> 28:09.140 what from the when a little bit . The 28:09.140 --> 28:11.239 what is . They've been killing 28:11.239 --> 28:13.183 Americans for 47 years . They have 28:13.183 --> 28:15.295 thousands of missiles pointed at us . 28:15.295 --> 28:17.406 They have ongoing nuclear ambitions , 28:17.406 --> 28:19.628 and they're at the weakest they've ever 28:19.628 --> 28:21.739 been . So the when became , uh , in , 28:21.739 --> 28:23.906 in a particular , hey , what makes the 28:23.906 --> 28:25.961 most sense to , to do this to ensure 28:25.961 --> 28:28.072 that the narrow objectives we have of 28:28.072 --> 28:28.000 ensuring they never have a nuclear 28:28.000 --> 28:30.469 weapon have a maximum effect . Yes , 28:30.560 --> 28:32.504 right here . Thank you , Secretary 28:32.504 --> 28:34.782 Hecketh . I have two questions . First , 28:34.782 --> 28:37.004 what is your message to Iran's allies , 28:37.004 --> 28:38.949 namely Russia and China , who have 28:38.949 --> 28:40.671 called for an immediate end to 28:40.671 --> 28:42.727 hostilities ? I don't have a message 28:42.727 --> 28:44.727 for them , and they're not really a 28:44.727 --> 28:46.838 factor here and uh we're our issue is 28:46.838 --> 28:48.727 not with them , it's with the the 28:48.727 --> 28:51.004 nuclear ambitions of Iran . Absolutely . 28:51.004 --> 28:53.171 And are any so-called fully autonomous 28:53.171 --> 28:55.393 weapons or other AI tools being used in 28:55.393 --> 28:58.109 Operation Epic Fury ? Uh , we've got a 28:58.109 --> 29:00.260 lot of autonomous systems or systems 29:00.260 --> 29:02.149 that are , that , uh , drones and 29:02.149 --> 29:04.371 others , uh , incorporated with smart , 29:04.660 --> 29:07.180 uh , AI aspects to them , but I , a lot 29:07.180 --> 29:09.513 of which I can't talk about here . Yeah , 29:09.513 --> 29:11.736 um , yellow right there . Yes , ma'am . 29:11.736 --> 29:13.902 Thank you very much , Mr . Secretary . 29:13.902 --> 29:15.902 As you know , China is accusing the 29:15.902 --> 29:19.729 United States of invading in . Iran , 29:19.849 --> 29:22.449 a sovereign nation , and North Korea , 29:22.569 --> 29:26.329 which cooperate with Iran on nuclear 29:26.329 --> 29:29.290 development , has declared its 29:29.290 --> 29:33.050 commitment to protecting Iran . What 29:33.050 --> 29:35.910 is the United States' strategic . 29:36.790 --> 29:39.930 Response to this , and I have a second 29:39.930 --> 29:43.849 one . How many allies joined 29:43.849 --> 29:47.349 with the United States to fighting 29:47.650 --> 29:49.928 against Iran ? Do you have any numbers ? 29:49.928 --> 29:52.150 I think what you're seeing right now is 29:52.150 --> 29:53.928 a response in the region to the 29:53.928 --> 29:55.539 belligerence of Iran and the 29:55.539 --> 29:57.706 willingness of them to target civilian 29:57.706 --> 30:00.089 airports , civilian hotels , civilian 30:00.089 --> 30:02.311 locations , civilian oil infrastructure 30:02.311 --> 30:04.311 of . Their Gulf neighbors who would 30:04.311 --> 30:06.367 have preferred not to be in conflict 30:06.367 --> 30:08.533 didn't want to but now realize um that 30:08.533 --> 30:10.700 this is something that has to be dealt 30:10.700 --> 30:13.270 with . So whether it's UAE or Qatar or 30:13.270 --> 30:17.000 Bahrain or Kuwait or Saudi on 30:17.000 --> 30:19.111 different levels they're reaching out 30:19.111 --> 30:21.389 to us whether they're going on offense , 30:21.389 --> 30:20.959 which they are , whether they're giving 30:20.959 --> 30:22.829 us additional access basing and 30:22.829 --> 30:25.640 overflight , um , we're getting , we're , 30:25.680 --> 30:27.847 we're working very closely and , and , 30:27.847 --> 30:30.069 and collaborating with them also on air 30:30.069 --> 30:32.291 defenses . The air defense capabilities 30:32.291 --> 30:34.458 of those countries are significant and 30:34.458 --> 30:36.180 when combined with ours and we 30:36.180 --> 30:38.402 coordinate it , it brings simplicity to 30:38.402 --> 30:40.624 the shot doctrine so we make sure we're 30:40.624 --> 30:42.624 using less munitions but being more 30:42.624 --> 30:42.599 effective with what we shoot at , uh , 30:42.609 --> 30:44.720 and as it pertains to other countries 30:44.720 --> 30:46.720 I'll , I'll sort of give the same , 30:46.720 --> 30:48.887 same question , uh . They don't really 30:48.887 --> 30:51.053 bear on the case of Iran . We're going 30:51.053 --> 30:53.276 to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions , 30:53.276 --> 30:52.900 and that'll send , uh , plenty of 30:52.900 --> 30:55.060 signals in the process right there , 30:59.959 --> 31:01.959 uh , purple , thank you so much . I 31:01.959 --> 31:01.339 have two questions . One question for 31:01.339 --> 31:03.339 you and the other question for Mr . 31:03.339 --> 31:05.561 Chairman . You , you ruled out that you 31:05.561 --> 31:07.450 are not engaging with the Kurdish 31:07.450 --> 31:09.506 forces , Iranian Kurdish forces , to 31:09.506 --> 31:11.672 inclusion from the Kurdistan region to 31:11.672 --> 31:13.783 Iran . But now and today Iranian said 31:13.783 --> 31:15.839 that under threatening the Kurdistan 31:15.839 --> 31:17.950 region , they said clearly if there's 31:17.950 --> 31:20.283 any intrusion from the Kurdistan region , 31:20.283 --> 31:20.020 they will attack all the Kurdistan 31:20.020 --> 31:22.242 region and go to war with the Kurdistan 31:22.242 --> 31:24.409 region . What's your comment on that ? 31:24.409 --> 31:26.353 And a question for Mr . Chairman , 31:26.353 --> 31:28.298 giving comments that the US forces 31:28.298 --> 31:30.464 might be deployed if necessary , under 31:30.464 --> 31:30.239 what specific conditions would you 31:30.239 --> 31:32.699 determine that deploying US boots on 31:32.699 --> 31:34.921 the ground is necessary , and how would 31:34.921 --> 31:36.979 such a decision support and advance 31:37.339 --> 31:41.160 your stated strategic goals ? Uh , well , 31:41.229 --> 31:43.285 I'm not gonna comment on US boots on 31:43.285 --> 31:45.451 the ground . I think that's a question 31:45.451 --> 31:47.451 for policymakers , and I don't make 31:47.451 --> 31:49.729 policy , I execute policy . I will say , 31:49.729 --> 31:51.896 but on the question in the back corner 31:51.896 --> 31:54.229 about helping Americans get out , first , 31:54.229 --> 31:56.340 it's a great opportunity to encourage 31:56.340 --> 31:55.959 everybody in the region to go to the 31:55.959 --> 31:57.737 State Department and register . 31:57.737 --> 31:59.959 Secretary Rubio's been , been trying to 31:59.959 --> 32:02.126 get that word out , and I'd ask you to 32:02.126 --> 32:04.015 help us with that , to have folks 32:04.015 --> 32:06.126 register . We've also opened up space 32:06.126 --> 32:08.560 available seats , uh , as C-seventeens 32:08.560 --> 32:10.849 and other airplanes come in . To try to 32:10.849 --> 32:13.016 help folks get out , but that's really 32:13.016 --> 32:14.960 a State Department matter . But to 32:14.960 --> 32:17.182 answer your question , uh , that's what 32:17.182 --> 32:19.238 we've been doing . Absolutely . Uh , 32:19.238 --> 32:21.293 last question right here , Secretary 32:21.293 --> 32:21.010 Hexa . Thank you , Reagan Reese with 32:21.010 --> 32:23.177 the Daily Caller . Uh , you touched on 32:23.177 --> 32:25.343 this in your opening remarks , but I'm 32:25.343 --> 32:27.454 hoping you could expand on it a bit . 32:27.454 --> 32:29.566 It's been reported that Iran might be 32:29.566 --> 32:31.399 trying to outlast our ability to 32:31.399 --> 32:33.454 intercept their missiles . It sounds 32:33.454 --> 32:33.380 like you guys are saying they don't 32:33.380 --> 32:35.602 have the ability to do so . Is that the 32:35.602 --> 32:37.979 case ? Can we , can they outlast us in 32:37.979 --> 32:41.219 their ability to do that ? Iran cannot 32:41.219 --> 32:43.479 outlast us . We're going to ensure 32:43.939 --> 32:45.883 through violence of action and our 32:45.883 --> 32:47.606 offensive capabilities and our 32:47.606 --> 32:49.661 defensive capabilities , as I said , 32:49.661 --> 32:51.883 that we set the tone . And the tempo of 32:51.883 --> 32:53.939 this fight , uh , that's why stories 32:53.939 --> 32:56.106 and speculation about different things 32:56.106 --> 32:58.106 that try to make it look like we're 32:58.106 --> 33:00.161 limited in what we can do . The only 33:00.161 --> 33:01.883 limits we have in this is , is 33:01.883 --> 33:03.883 President Trump's desire to achieve 33:03.883 --> 33:05.772 specific effects on behalf of the 33:05.772 --> 33:07.772 American people . And that's why we 33:07.772 --> 33:09.883 don't talk about , you know , you can 33:09.883 --> 33:11.939 say 4 weeks , but it could be 6 , it 33:11.939 --> 33:14.161 could be 8 , it could be 3 . Ultimately 33:14.161 --> 33:16.161 we set the pace and the tempo . The 33:16.161 --> 33:15.609 enemy is going is off balance , and 33:15.609 --> 33:17.720 we're going to keep him off balance . 33:17.720 --> 33:19.665 And we know their ability to shoot 33:19.665 --> 33:21.665 versus our ability to defend . That 33:21.665 --> 33:23.776 difference gets wider and wider every 33:23.776 --> 33:25.887 day . Our defense gets better . Their 33:25.887 --> 33:28.109 offense capabilities diminish , uh , as 33:28.109 --> 33:30.331 we are going into ammunitions that we , 33:30.331 --> 33:32.053 as , as we said , have tens of 33:32.053 --> 33:34.053 thousands of and can drop unlimited 33:34.053 --> 33:36.276 supplies on with even more effects than 33:36.276 --> 33:38.331 the standoff emissions we have now , 33:38.331 --> 33:40.553 which is why when we say the throttle's 33:40.553 --> 33:42.609 going up , the throttle's going up , 33:42.609 --> 33:42.449 and it's gonna stay on high . Thank you 33:42.449 --> 33:43.780 all very much . Appreciate it .