Pete Hegseth says "upcoming days will be decisive" in war against Iran

CBS News
March 31, 2026
3 min read

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Trump threatened to attack Iranian civilian energy and water infrastructure if no war deal is reached.

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Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine are holding a news briefing to address Iran's strike on a Kuwaiti oil tanker, an escalation in regional tensions. President Trump has renewed threats to target Iranian civilian energy and water infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail to end the ongoing conflict. The strike on the tanker marks another direct attack on commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, raising concerns about freedom of navigation and regional stability. Trump's threat to target civilian infrastructure represents a significant escalation in U.S. rhetoric toward Iran and could influence negotiations over any potential ceasefire or peace deal. The briefing comes as the administration grapples with balancing military deterrence against Iran with diplomatic pathways to resolve the broader conflict.

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