Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth says ‘we have only just begun’ in Iran the place Trump may have a ‘heck of a say’ in its subsequent chief

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the United States has “only just begun” in the Iran conflict, where President Donald Trump will have a “heck of a say” in its next supreme leader.

The U.S. and Israel began striking Iran over the weekend, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.

“In just the last 72 hours, America’s bomber force has struck nearly 200 targets deep inside of Iran, including around Tehran,” Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads the U.S. Central Command, said in a press conference Thursday alongside Hegseth.

It’s unclear how long the conflict in Iran will continue, but, according to the Pentagon chief, the U.S. is not planning on ending “Operation Epic Fury” anytime soon.

“We have only just begun to fight and fight decisively,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday. “If you think you’ve seen something, just wait.”

Another uncertainty amid the conflict is what the future of Iran will look like now that its leader is dead.

“I think the president’s having a heck of a say in who runs Iran, given the ongoing operation we have,” Hegseth said.

Earlier Thursday Trump said he must be involved in the selection of Iran’s next leader, and made his disdain for reported frontrunner Mojtaba Khamenei, the late supreme leader’s son, known.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump told Axios. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

Ultimately, it will be Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 senior officials, who will appoint the next leader.

This is a developing story…

Source: independent.co.uk