US not expanding military objectives in Iran, Hegseth says

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks at the signed joint security agreement at the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference with regional defense and security leaders at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, U.S., March 5, 2026. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona

TAMPA, Florida, March ⁠5 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ⁠said on Thursday the United States was ‌not expanding its military objectives in Iran, after President Donald Trump told Reuters that the United States must ​be involved in choosing the ⁠next leader of ⁠Iran.

The Pentagon earlier this week said the military ⁠campaign, known ‌as Operation Epic Fury, is focused on destroying Iran's offensive missiles, ⁠missile production and Navy, while not allowing ​Tehran to ‌have a nuclear weapon.