U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told a briefing on Tuesday (March 31) the next few days in the Middle East conflict would be decisive, saying there had been major desertions from the Iranian armed forces.

Hegseth, citing intelligence, said the U.S. and Israeli strikes were damaging the morale of the Iranian military. This, he said, was triggering widespread desertions, key personnel shortages and causing frustration amongst senior leaders.

"We have more and more options, and they have less ... in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive," he said. "Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," he said.

Hegseth also said he had visited troops in the Middle East on Saturday (March 28) to witness the military operation against Iran.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 31, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - Broadcast: No use USA Digital: No use USA)

1. U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL DAN CAINE, ARRIVING FOR BRIEFING

2. MEDIA GATHERED

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"Well, over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our troops fighting in operation Epic Fury. We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day. For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named. Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness. And I witnessed the best of America."

4. REPORTERS LISTENING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"On the battlefield, because of the latitude the President has given us, American firepower is only increasing. Iran's? Decreasing. We have more and more options, and they have less."

6. GENERAL VIEW OF HEGSETH AND CAINE IN BRIEFING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that. And there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it. Yes, they will still shoot some missiles, but we will shoot them down. Of note, the last 24 hours saw the lowest number of enemies missiles and drones fired by Iran."

8. GENERAL VIEW OF HEGSETH AND CAINE IN BRIEFING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"The latest intel is clear out of CENTCOM. Our strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian military, leading to widespread desertions, key personnel shortages, and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders."

10. HEGSETH AND CAINE IN BRIEFING

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"But if Iran is wise, they will cut a deal. President Trump doesn't bluff and he does not back down. You can ask Khamenei [referring to late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei] about that. The new Iranian regime should know that by now. This new regime - because regime change has occurred - should be wiser than the last. President Trump will make a deal, he is willing. And the terms of the deal are known to them. If Iran is not willing, than the United States War Department will continue with even more intensity."

12. GENERAL VIEW OF HEGSETH AND CAINE IN BRIEFING

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"May God watch over all of them [referring to U.S. troops]. Each day, and each night may his almighty and eternal arms of Providence stretch over them and protect them and bring them peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, and Amen."

14. GENERAL VIEW OF HEGSETH AND CAINE IN BRIEFING