Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran will ultimately be forced into surrender as the joint United States and Israeli military campaign entered its second week. In a televised interview, Hegseth said the demand for 'unconditional surrender' means the United States intends to set the terms of victory and will continue fighting until Iran is no longer capable of combat. He added that President Donald Trump would determine the final conditions for ending the conflict, in consultation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hegseth stated that all military options remain available, including the possible deployment of ground forces, and acknowledged that additional casualties are likely. He said the United States is prepared to go as far as necessary to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. His remarks came shortly before he and Trump attended a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base honoring American service members killed in the conflict.

Fighting has intensified across the region, with Iranian attacks targeting Gulf states and air defenses responding in Israel, Iraq, and elsewhere. Iran has also suffered heavy damage, including strikes on oil and fuel depots in Tehran and the reported killing of senior military official Abu al Qassem Baba'iyan. Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former Supreme Leader, was appointed as Iran's new leader, drawing both defiance at home and condemnation from Israeli officials.

Iranian leaders warned they would retaliate against further strikes on their energy infrastructure by targeting oil facilities across the region, raising fears of broader economic and military escalation.