Secretary of War Pete Hegseth drew attention during a Cabinet meeting after a large squiggle was spotted on his notepad as he delivered remarks on the conflict with Iran. While the doodle sparked curiosity, his message was forceful, describing 'Operation Epic Fury' as a decisive campaign rather than an endless war and claiming Iran's military capabilities had been rapidly dismantled.

Hegseth asserted that Iran's navy and its leadership had been effectively neutralized and warned that Iranian missile range poses a threat to major Western capitals. He said the administration would continue military pressure until Iran's offensive capabilities are fully destroyed, even as it hopes for a diplomatic agreement.

During his remarks, Hegseth sharply criticized the media, accusing journalists of misrepresenting the mission and aligning with political opponents. He also claimed that facilities now being targeted were originally funded by cash sent to Iran under former President Barack Obama, arguing that the current campaign is eliminating weapons built with those resources.

The notepad incident follows previous moments in which handwritten notes exchanged during Cabinet meetings have drawn public scrutiny, fueling speculation about behind the scenes decision making within the administration.