Hegseth Takes Responsibility for Operations Against Iran, Says He Would Repeat Them
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth leaves the stage after addressing a media conference at a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Feb. 13, 2025. 
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday took responsibility for all operations carried out during the conflict with Iran, adding that he would repeat them if necessary. «I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow,» Hegseth told a briefing. He also characterized the accusations against him as an attempt to politicize the US military. Hegseth said that an attempt to impeach him puts US military personnel at risk and exposes Congress’ willingness to interfere with their combat missions.»It puts a target on the backs of American warriors by signaling that Congress will undermine their missions in real time,» he told reporters.He said this is not patriotism, but sabotage.Hegseth further claimed that the accusations against him is an attempt to politicize the US military, and described the resolution on his impeachment as an intention to undermine President Donald Trump’s decisions, emphasizing that the initiative was driven not by constitutional norms, but by the author’s personal animosity.»It tells our enemies, Iran, the cartels, every adversary watching, that the United States will actually punish its own warriors and its own civilian leadership for successfully executing lawful military operations. It tells them that a single rogue legislator, loaded with personal animus for the president, can attempt to veto national security decisions made by the duly elected commander in chief,» he added.On Monday, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky announced he was forcing a vote to impeach Hegseth. The impeachment motion accuses Hegseth of violating the US Constitution and the War Powers Resolution.
WorldUS House to Vote on Hegseth Impeachment on Tuesday — Reports12:43 GMT
