US claims ‘decisive victory’ over Iran, says Tehran sought ceasefire after massive strikes

US-Iran ceasefire:  In a strong statement from the White House, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday claimed that Iran 'begged' for a ceasefire following what he described as a “decisive military success” by the United States under Operation Epic Fury.

Speaking to reporters, Hegseth asserted that Washington’s large-scale offensive had severely weakened Iran’s defence capabilities. He emphasised that Iran’s missile infrastructure had been rendered largely ineffective after the strikes.

According to him, the operation involved an extensive overnight assault, during which US forces reportedly carried out around 800 strikes targeting key military and industrial installations. He claimed these attacks had devastated Iran’s defence production network, leaving several facilities completely destroyed.

Hegseth further alleged that Iran’s leadership had also been impacted during the offensive. He stated that Mojtaba Khamenei, whom he referred to as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, had been injured in joint US-Israeli strikes, though he did not provide any supporting evidence.

The remarks came shortly after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement on a temporary ceasefire expected to last two weeks, raising questions about the broader implications of the recent escalation in tensions.