US-Iran war updates: Hegseth refuses to confirm war’s end as airstrikes hit oil refineries across Middle East

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States has “struck 7,000 targets” in Iran since the war began.

The Secretary also says Iran’s navy is “no longer a factor” in the conflict, as the United States has purportedly destroyed 120 naval ships.

Hegseth then took aim at the higher ups of the Iranian military, labelling their roles as “temp jobs”.

“A regime like that, refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions, is not just a regional problem, it’s a direct threat to America, to freedom and to civilisation,” Hegseth said.

“The world, the Middle East, our ungrateful allies in Europe, and even segments of our own press should be saying one thing to President Trump — ‘thank you’.”