US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the coming days in the Iran conflict will be decisive, claiming Washington now holds more military options while Tehran’s capabilities are shrinking. In his latest Pentagon briefing, Hegseth revealed a previously undisclosed trip to the CENTCOM war zone, where he met troops involved in Operation Epic Fury.

Amid the Iran war and the controversial resignation of US Counter-terrorism chief Joe Kent, top US intelligence officials testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, warning of rapidly growing global threats to American national security. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed that countries including Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan are advancing missile systems capable of striking the United States. The report highlighted a dramatic surge in missile threats, with projections increasing from 3000 in 2025 to 16000 by 2035, raising serious concerns about homeland defense. The hearing also pointed to deepening alliances between North Korea, Russia and China, as well as ongoing threats from terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda