‘Will Hunt You Down If You Threaten Americans’: Pentagon Chief's Blunt Warning To Iran

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 13:21 IST

Pete Hegseth described Operation Epic Fury as “the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history.”

US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Sunday issued a stark warning to Tehran after overnight US strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, saying that any threat to Americans would be met with lethal force.

“If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world — as Iran has — then we will hunt you down, and we will kill you," Hegseth said in a post on X, framing the strikes as a direct response to long-standing threats against US personnel.

The remarks came as the United States and Israel carried out a sweeping military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure. President Donald Trump said the offensive was aimed at weakening Tehran’s military capabilities and neutralising its nuclear and missile threats.

Hegseth described Operation Epic Fury as “the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history."

“Overnight, on President Trump’s orders, the Department of War commenced OPERATION EPIC FURY — the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history," he said.

Hegseth further accused Tehran of refusing diplomatic efforts. “The Iranian regime had their chance, yet refused to make a deal — and now they are suffering the consequences," he said, adding that for nearly five decades Iran had “targeted and killed Americans" while pursuing advanced weapons capabilities.

The Defence Secretary further vowed to dismantle Iran’s missile production and naval forces.

“We will not tolerate powerful missiles targeting the American people. Those missiles will be destroyed, along with Iran’s missile production. The Iranian navy will be destroyed," Hegseth said, reiterating Trump’s long-standing position that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“The United States did not start this conflict, but we will finish it," he added, saying American forces were “fully unleashed to achieve our objectives."

What Is Operation Epic Fury?

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, after the United States and Israel launched massive strikes under the operation, codenamed Epic Fury by Washington and Lion’s Roar by Jerusalem

The daylight offensive, coordinated with Israeli forces led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targeted the political heart of Tehran in a dramatic escalation of regional tensions.

According to CENTCOM, the initial phase of the operation involved coordinated air and strategic strikes targeting key Iranian sites. The US has described the campaign as aimed at neutralising what it called imminent threats from the Iranian regime.

The operation not only killed Khamenei, but also his family members, including his daughter and granddaughter.

Iran’s state television confirmation came hours after US President Donald Trump announced the killing of the 86-year-old cleric he described as “one of the most evil people in History."

The Iranian government also announced 40 days of mourning following the killing of Khamenei.

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