WASHINGTON — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told his 13-year-old son that US service members have died to ensure his generation won’t have to confront a nuclear-armed Iran.
The Pentagon boss recounted the frank conversation he had with his son when he was preparing for a Thursday press conference about the war in Iran after being asked about the death of 13 service members.
“My 13-year-old son popped into my office last night while I was editing these remarks,” Hegseth said Thursday. “He asked about the war and the families I met at Dover.”
“I looked at him and I said, ‘They died for you, son, so that your generation doesn’t have to deal with a nuclear Iran.’”
Hegseth added, “It’s the truth, and they did so. To the families who said, ‘Finish this,’ we will.”
The secretary of war is the father of seven children, from three different wives, including four with his current wife, Jennifer.
Hegseth had joined President Trump at Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday to pay final respects to the six airmen who died when their plane crashed in western Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury.
That refueling craft went down in friendly airspace, and the cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with US Central Command ruling out friendly fire or a hostile attack.
“What I heard, through tears, through hugs, through strength, and unbreakable resolve, was the same. From family after family,” the Pentagon honcho said of his conversations at the dignified transfer.
“They said, ‘Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done.’”
Hegseth vowed to “honor their sacrifice” and “finish this.”
A veteran of the Second Gulf War as well as the Afghanistan War, Hegseth took note of how Iran killed American soldiers by sending specific technology to Iraq.
“Iran, whether it’s [in] Iraq, whether it’s Afghanistan, whether it’s around the world, has been targeting Americans,” he stressed. “And what President Trump would not tolerate is a regime of that nature being closer and closer to nuclear capabilities.”
