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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Joseph Gedeon in Washington

Pete Hegseth warns of ‘most intense’ day of US strikes on Iran yet

a man pointing a finger
Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, speaks during a press conference at Centcom headquarters at MacDill air force Base in Tampa, Florida, on 5 March 2026. Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA

The Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, has warned that Tuesday would be the “most intense” day of US strikes yet, even as he blamed Iran for civilian casualties by claiming its forces were firing missiles from schools and hospitals.

Speaking alongside Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, Hegseth alleged Iran was deliberately firing missiles from schools and hospitals, describing the country’s leadership as “desperate and scrambling like the terrorist cowards they are”.

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