Pete Hegseth has come under pressure to justify the US military campaign against Iran as fuel costs climb sharply in the US and beyond.
The Pentagon held a briefing earlier today (March 19), where the US Secretary of War faced pointed questions about the conflict.
The US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, with both sides continuing to trade attacks in the weeks since.
Iran has not carried out air strikes on US territory, instead focusing on Gulf states such as Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — nations that maintain close ties with Washington.
Markets have responded to the instability with a steep jump in energy prices. Mail Online reports that gasoline is now sitting at $3.90 per gallon, up from $2.90 per gallon before the fighting began.
Diesel prices have also risen dramatically, in some areas reaching as much as $5 per gallon.
A major driver behind the surge is Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply moves.
President Trump has criticized allied countries for not stepping in more quickly following the outbreak of hostilities. The UK, Germany and other European nations have said they will not deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz and have rejected other requests from the president.
During today’s remarks, Hegseth accused Europe of failing to show appreciation while presenting the administration’s approach as a successful effort so far.
“A regime like that refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions is not just a regional problem, it’s a direct threat to America, to freedom and to civilisation in the world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe,” Hegseth said.
“Even segments of our own press should be saying one thing to President Trump: ‘Thank you’.”
He then outlined what he believed critics and partners should be grateful for, crediting the president for taking decisive action against Tehran.
“Thank you for having the courage to stop this terror state from holding the world hostage with missiles while building, or attempting to build, a nuclear bomb. Thank you for doing the work of the free world.”
In other comments, Hegseth maintained that the US approach is aimed at victory, and he argued that the country is currently ahead in the conflict.
His statements came shortly after a major shake-up inside the administration, with US Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent resigning yesterday.
In a social media post explaining his decision, Kent wrote: “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
Kent is one of the most senior figures from within Trump’s administration to publicly condemn the strikes on Iran.