“The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back,” Hegseth told reporters during a press briefing Sunday. “When this president speaks, the world should listen — and the US military, we can back it up.”

Hegseth harked back to the 60-day deadline Trump gave Iran earlier this year and said that the regime is now ruing its failure to comply with that ultimatum.

“Iran found out when POTUS says 60 days that he seeks peace and negotiation, he means 60 days of peace and negotiation; otherwise, that nuclear program, that nuclear capability, will not exist; he meant it,” the Defense secretary added.

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