Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense criticism after a heated interview with “60 Minutes” correspondent Major Garrett on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in which Hegseth, formerly of Fox News, made provocative statements about the U.S. conflict with Iran that critics called “grotesque” and reckless.
The segment, which aired in Season 58, Episode 23 of the CBS newsmagazine, looked at the second week of the conflict and addressed President Trump’s call for “unconditional surrender” from Tehran. Titled “Targeting Americans: Secretary Hegseth,” the piece immediately drew broad condemnation.
One controversial moment occurred when Garrett asked whether Russian support—providing Iran with intelligence on U.S. movements in the region—could put American personnel “in more danger than they otherwise would be.” Hegseth’s answer alarmed many viewers and commentators.
Hegseth replied that no one was putting them in danger; instead, he framed them as the ones creating danger for others, saying that was their role. He added that the only people who should be concerned were Iranians who expected to survive.
Critics harshly criticized the remark, saying it read as a broad threat against Iranian civilians rather than being directed at combatants or regime leaders. Journalist Laura Jedeed wrote on Bluesky that Hegseth singled out “not ‘terrorists,’ not ‘radicals,’ not even ‘Islamists.’ ‘Iranians.'”
The interview also probed whether Iran posed an immediate threat to the U.S. when President Trump launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28. The joint U.S.-Israeli strike killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in its opening action and, according to the Pentagon, has since struck over 3,000 targets inside Iran. Hegseth appeared to dismiss questions about the operation’s justification.
Garrett reviewed events leading up to the operation, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had supplied intelligence about Khamenei’s location. The reporter suggested the timing looked more like an opportunity than a response to an imminent threat.
Hegseth called such doubts “silly and academic,” citing what he described as 47 years of Iranian attacks on Americans since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He referenced Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 U.S. mission that struck Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles. Officials claimed the operation “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, though international monitors say Iran still retains over 970 pounds of near–bomb-grade uranium.
Hegseth argued Iran should have conceded earlier, recognizing the seriousness of the situation and abandoning its nuclear goals, which it did not do. He said the president sees the threat as a growing long-term danger.
Veterans and military analysts expressed dismay at Hegseth’s tone during the interview. Former service members criticized his rhetoric as unprofessional and damaging to the military’s reputation, while opponents accused the Defense Secretary of showing a callous disregard for human life.
The episode consisted of two parts, starting with a contentious investigation into Havana Syndrome before shifting to the Hegseth interview. The show is available to stream on CBS and Paramount+.
Hegseth, 45, was confirmed as Defense Secretary on January 24, 2025, by a narrow 51-50 Senate vote that required Vice President JD Vance to cast the tie-breaking vote—only the second time a vice president decided a Cabinet confirmation. Three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell—joined all Democrats in opposing his nomination amid allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and heavy drinking.
In the interview, Hegseth discussed the operation’s scope and casualties, including seven American fatalities. Human Rights Activists in Iran report more than 1,600 Iranians killed, including 168 people—mostly children—at a girls’ school in southern Iran that was struck during the campaign.
When asked whether U.S. forces were responsible for the school strike, Hegseth answered only, “We’re still investigating.” He emphasized that “unlike our adversaries, the Iranians, we never target civilians.”
Hegseth also claimed that the Iranian Navy “is largely no more” and warned that the military campaign is far from over. “What I want your viewers to understand is this is only just the beginning,” he said. “We have more munitions than we need.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the U.S. demand for surrender as “a dream that they should take to their grave.” Hegseth, meanwhile, insisted Iran would be forced to capitulate. “This is war. This is conflict. This is bringing your enemy to their knees,” he said. “Whether they will have a ceremony in Tehran Square and surrender, that’s up to them.”
As of Tuesday, March 10, neither the White House nor the Defense Department had released further statements clarifying or retracting Hegseth’s comments. Defense officials said Tuesday would be the “most intense day” of strikes against Iran since the operation began.
