US President Donald Trump has offered a fresh account of how the United States entered the ongoing Iran conflict, suggesting that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was the first to advocate military action.
Speaking at a roundtable in Tennessee, Trump recalled internal discussions that led to the decision.
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“Pete… you said, ‘Let’s do it because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,’” Trump said, with Hegseth seated beside him.
The remarks add another layer to an already evolving narrative about the origins of the war.
Conflicting Explanations Within Trump Administration
However, Trump’s latest comments highlight inconsistencies within his administration’s messaging.
Different officials have presented varying reasons for entering the conflict. Some have argued that Israeli military action was inevitable, while others have claimed that Iran was nearing nuclear capability.
Trump himself described the decision-making process in informal terms.
“We got a problem in the Middle East… or we can take a little journey and eliminate a big problem,” he said.
Surprise Claims Clash With Intelligence Reports
Meanwhile, Trump also suggested that Iran’s retaliatory strikes caught the US off guard.
“Nobody was even thinking about it,” he said, referring to attacks across Gulf nations.
However, this claim appears to contradict reports that warnings of potential retaliation had been issued in advance.
This disconnect has raised further questions about preparedness and intelligence assessment within the administration.
Hegseth Emerges as Public Face of War Effort
Despite the uncertainty, Hegseth has become the most visible figure in the US war strategy.
From the Pentagon, he has outlined objectives including dismantling Iran’s missile systems, drone capabilities, and naval strength.
He has also criticised media coverage of the conflict, urging more supportive reporting as the war expands.
When asked about the timeline, Hegseth avoided specifics.
“We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe… the operation is on track,” he said.
Divisions Within the Administration Surface
At the same time, not all senior leaders were fully aligned on military action.
Trump acknowledged that Vice President JD Vance had been less enthusiastic about the decision, though Vance has not publicly opposed the move.
Reports also suggest that Benjamin Netanyahu and media executive Rupert Murdoch were among those supporting a more aggressive stance, while others urged caution.
The internal tensions have already had consequences, with Joe Kent stepping down from his position amid the conflict.
Talks With Iran Remain Uncertain
Even as the conflict intensifies, Trump has hinted at potential negotiations with Iran.
“We’d like to make a deal… otherwise we’ll just keep bombing,” he said.
He referenced possible backchannel discussions involving Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff.
However, Iranian officials have denied that any such talks are currently taking place.
Deadline Extended as Uncertainty Grows
Trump had initially set a deadline for Iran to comply with US demands or face further strikes. That timeline has now been extended by five days.
The shifting explanations, conflicting reports, and evolving strategy have left key questions unanswered.
As the war enters its fourth week, uncertainty remains over how the conflict began, how it will unfold, and who ultimately shaped the decision to go to war.
