Hegseth on potential of U.S. boots on the ground in Iran: "We're willing to go as far as we need to"

CBS News
March 9, 2026
6 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Defense Secretary Hegseth indicated the U.S. is open to deploying ground troops in Iran, stating no limits on operations.

How This Affects You

Potential military escalation in the Middle East could lead to higher gasoline prices, potentially increasing your fuel costs by an unknown amount.

AI Summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated a broad scope for potential U.S. military operations, stating to CBS News that "You don't tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation" when questioned about deploying troops to Iran. This statement suggests the administration is not ruling out ground forces in the region, according to the interview with Major Garrett. The comment comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. This stance signals a potentially aggressive foreign policy approach toward Iran, leaving open various military options. The implications of such a policy could significantly escalate regional conflicts.

What's Being Done

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the U.S. is not ruling out deploying ground troops to Iran.

Source Coverage Map

8 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

19% coverage
Did Not Cover (35)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP Top News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95+30 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's extended 60 Minutes interview
National Security

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's extended 60 Minutes interview

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C. They spoke on Friday, March 6th about the state of the war with Iran, potential American casualties, what an Iranian surrender could look like, and more. Editor's note: The video above is an extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday, March 8, 2026. This extended version was condensed for clarity.

CBS NewsMar 8
Hegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured"
National Security

Hegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured"

<p>Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran's new supreme leader, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/mojtaba-khamenei-iran-supreme-leader" target="_blank">Mojtaba Khamenei</a>, is "wounded and likely disfigured."</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Hegseth's claim was the first official statement by the Trump administration about Khamenei's health since he was named the country's leader.</p><hr><ul><li>"Iran's leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding they have gone underground, cowering. That's what rats do. We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured," Hegseth told reporters at a briefing.</li></ul><p><strong>Behind the scenes:</strong> President Trump told G7 leaders in a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Khamenei "is not in good shape," according to a source with knowledge of the call.</p><ul><li>"Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender," <a href="https://www.axios.c...

AxiosMar 13
Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran
Politics

Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran

<p>US defense head is eager to frame operation as a success – and slam journalists for not portraying it in a positive light</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a> on Friday again claimed the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-military">US military</a> campaign against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran">Iran</a> has been an unprecedented success, using a Pentagon press conference to accuse journalists of downplaying Washington’s supposed gains on the battlefield.</p><p>Speaking alongside the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, the US defens...

The Guardian US NewsMar 13
US tech giants on Iran's list of potential targets in Gulf countries
National Security

US tech giants on Iran's list of potential targets in Gulf countries

Iran's Tasnim news agency has published a list of potential targets for Iran on Telegram, including the offices of tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Nvidia in Gulf countries and Israel. Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from Doha for FRANCE 24.

AFP / France 24Mar 12
Buttigieg leans on combat experience to criticize Trump’s ‘war of choice’ in Iran
Politics

Buttigieg leans on combat experience to criticize Trump’s ‘war of choice’ in Iran

The Iran war has given former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg an opening to lean hard on his military background, blasting President Trump’s “war of choice” in a series of public appearances.   As one of the few potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders with combat-zone experience, Buttigieg is emerging as one of Trump’s loudest critics as foreign…

The HillMar 9
US farmers rush to sell crops as Iran war fuels rally - Reuters
Finance

US farmers rush to sell crops as Iran war fuels rally - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxOaGw2WGM5SDBlUlhOZGJveXRrNTRZQ0NEMjB1ZG5yZU1NT0JZUDM4ODUwMU9sRjFXM1ZrOEU0eXE5cWFjb3RFUGFaQ0kzWGR5UTVWWHRPV1lQMV90bnp3Q29ScFpQdEhHRE1LbEg5VllBMTFJWDFibkhaWVlHSmFpNGZsOFRYRk43bU9MZGd2MnNjSk9SSi04?oc=5" target="_blank">US farmers rush to sell crops as Iran war fuels rally</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 13
Read Next
Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
National Security

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked

President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts.  The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources