US2 min(s) read
Published 10:18 25 Mar 2026 GMT
Pete Hegseth's uncomfortable reaction after Trump seemingly blames Iran attacks on him
During a recent roundtable discussion in Tennessee, Donald Trump made an offhand remark that caught US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth by surprise.
Speaking about the ongoing war in Iran, which began after the US and Israel launched airstrikes against the country in late February, Trump suggested that Hegseth was the one who had pushed for the conflict.
The war has resulted in significant casualties, including the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and widespread destruction of the country’s infrastructure.
Trump’s statement came amid rising tensions in the region, as Iran retaliated by blocking the strategic Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil shipments. This move has contributed to a surge in oil prices, which have jumped from $70 to over $110 a barrel. As the conflict continues, there are growing concerns about its economic impact, particularly as the war threatens global stability.
Trump places blame on Hegseth during Tennessee roundtable
At the roundtable event on March 23, 2026, Trump described the situation in the Middle East and framed the conflict as something that needed to be addressed. "I called a lot of our great people... and I said, 'Let's talk. We got a problem in the Middle East. We have a country known as Iran that, for 47 years, has been just a purveyor of terror, and they're close to a nuclear weapon,'" Trump said.
The president then turned to Hegseth, adding, “And Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. And you said, 'Let’s do it, because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.'”
Hegseth, who had been part of the discussion, briefly smiled but quickly looked uncomfortable as Trump continued. His reaction seemed to suggest that he was not entirely prepared for such a public attribution of responsibility.
Rising costs and international condemnation of the conflict
The war’s impact on global oil markets has been immediate, with prices climbing sharply in response to the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This has led to significant economic fallout, including a rise in mortgage rates within the US. With the US already experiencing economic pressures, experts have raised alarms about the potential long-term effects of this conflict.
Trump had earlier lifted a ban on Iranian oil temporarily, which caused prices to dip briefly before rising again. Meanwhile, Hegseth has been vocal in supporting the war, previously defending the investment of $200 billion in ongoing US military operations in Iran. He stated, “As far as $200bn, I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys.”
As the situation in Iran escalates, it remains to be seen how the US government will respond in the coming weeks, both in terms of military action and the broader economic consequences.