U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States' campaign against Iran is not a “democracy-building exercise” or “regime change," confirming no American troops are on the ground in Iran. 

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Hegseth warned that if Iran “threatens Americans anywhere on Earth, we will hunt you down without apology and without hesitation, and we will kill you.”

“We set the terms of this war from start to finish,” he added.

Hegseth noted that the United States didn't initiate the war, but under President Donald Trump, they are bringing it to an end.

Operation Epic Fury Against Iran; Four U.S. Troops Killed

Trump declared a major military operation, under the name Operation Epic Fury, against Iran on Saturday, saying the objective is to defend America “by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

During the attacks, thousands of locations across the county were targeted with the goal to dismantle its military and nuclear infrastructure.

Following the strikes, Iran launched Operation True Promise 4 using ballistic missiles and "suicide" drones to target U.S. and Israeli assets across the Middle East.

Due to the Iranian attacks, so far four U.S. service members have been killed.

Hegseth Vows to Proceed Despite Expected Casualties

Hegseth stressed, “An effort of this scope will include casualties,” adding that nevertheless they will continue without "apology" or "hesitation."

The security said that the campaign is not a "politically correct” war: “We fight to win, and we don't waste time or lives."

In response to whether there are any American troops on the ground in Iran, he stated that there are none at the moment, but "we'll go as far as we need."

General Caine: U.S. Secures Local ‘Air Superiority’ Over Iran

Meanwhile, briefing reporters along with Hegseth, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the U.S. forces were successful in establishing “local air superiority.”

“This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces but also allow them to continue the work over Iran,” he added. 

Caine affirmed that the campaign is not a single overnight operation. “The military objectives will take some time to achieve and in some cases will be difficult and gritty work."