APTOPIX Pentagon US Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is speaking to widening concerns the U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran could spiral into a protracted regional conflict by declaring, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.” Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine on Monday held the Trump administration’s first news briefing since Saturday’s strikes. Hegseth says the operation has a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.” The briefing comes as the conflict has intensified into a wider war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.S. military targets in the Middle East.

Iran’s attacks are spreading across the Middle East as Tehran fires missiles and allied militias are joining the fight against Israeli and U.S. strikes on the Islamic Republic. On Monday, Hezbollah launched rockets from Lebanon, leading to Israeli counterstrikes in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran's top security official says Iran will not negotiate with the United States. At least 555 people have been killed in Iran so far by the U.S.-Israeli campaign, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said. Eleven people have been killed in Israel and 31 in Lebanon, according to authorities there.