US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has linked the United States' war with Iran to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during a memorial ceremony for the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
In his speech, Hegseth referred to the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, presenting it as part of Washington's long-standing confrontation with the Iranian regime.
"Over the past six months, we have destroyed the world's most prolific state sponsor of terrorism. Our fighters have fought against an Islamic theocracy that has wished us dead for nearly half a century, a regime that has supported terrorist attacks on Americans for decades and that cheered 9/11," Hegseth declared.
The US Secretary of Defense added that Iran and other enemies of the United States had not taken the current US administration into account.
"But they didn't take this president into account," Hegseth said.
At the end of the speech, he delivered a strong message regarding the war and confrontation with Iran.
"We will finish this battle," Hegseth declared.
His statements were made during a ceremony at the Pentagon for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, where President Donald Trump also linked the current war with Iran to threats to the security of the United States.
